A major effort to expand market access for indigenous artisans and grassroots entrepreneurs in Nagaland reached a new milestone on Tuesday with the opening of a dedicated trade facility in Chumoukedima. Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav officially inaugurated the third Made in Nagaland Centre located at the YouthNet premises. The new hub is designed to bridge the gap between traditional producers and commercial markets, giving local creators a visible platform to display their items and connect with buyers beyond regional borders.
Connecting Traditional Craftsmanship with Commercial Opportunities
During the inaugural ceremony, Governor Nand Kishore Yadav emphasized the vast economic potential embedded within the state's native industries. He noted that Nagaland possesses a rich heritage of indigenous crafts, handloom products, textiles, agricultural produce, unique food items, and artistic work. According to the Governor, transforming these traditional skills into sustainable livelihood opportunities requires robust market connectivity. By establishing direct sales and networking channels, local craftspeople can convert their heritage skills into reliable sources of long-term income, thereby strengthening the rural and state economy.
Empowering Young Creators and Expanding the Platform
The Made in Nagaland project was established to solve the persistent marketing challenges faced by small scale producers who often lack direct routes to larger consumer markets. Reflecting on the growth of the movement, the Governor shared key figures demonstrating its expansion. When the first one-stop Made in Nagaland facility opened in Kohima in 2018, it began with a small group of 81 entrepreneurs. Over the past few years, the platform has grown significantly, now supporting nearly 350 entrepreneurs who offer around 600 distinct products representing various districts across Nagaland. The Governor highlighted that young people, women, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and rural workers stand to benefit the most from this expanding commercial network.
Fostering Entrepreneurship and Collaborative Growth
Encouraging youth to look beyond traditional government employment, Governor Yadav urged young citizens to embrace entrepreneurship and build sustainable ventures that create jobs for others. He stressed that achieving the full vision of the Made in Nagaland program requires seamless coordination among government agencies, banking institutions, educational organizations, private sector partners, and civil society groups like YouthNet. He stated that the real benchmark of success for this initiative will be its capacity to generate lasting livelihoods, economically empower women, preserve regional heritage, and introduce local goods to national and international markets.
YouthNet's Role in Driving Livelihood Transformation
Speaking at the event, Hekani Jakhalu, Adviser to the Industries and Commerce Department and founder of YouthNet, outlined the organizational journey behind the initiative. YouthNet was established in 2006 to reshape how young people view entrepreneurship and to motivate them toward job creation rather than relying solely on public sector appointments. Following the setup of the initial flagship center in Kohima in 2018, the newly launched unit in Chumoukedima marks the third official center established under the Made in Nagaland banner to support local enterprise growth.
