Dimapur, Jan 27 (MExN): With the inauguration of the Patchouli Distillation unit of Naga Fragrance Private Limited (NGPL) and Community Resource cum Training Center in Thilixii village today, it has proved another boon to the industrial growth in Nagaland. Considering the immense potential for growing particular spices and medicinal and aromatic plants with our wide climatic diversities and promoting rural development, the Naga Fragrance (P) Ltd is promoted by the Prodigal’s Home. The first of its kind in Nagaland, it was inaugurated by DC Dimapur, KN Ngullie amidst a huge crowd including officials, special guests and neighboring villagers. The unit is under the supervision of Dili Solomon, Director, NGPL with a team of 52 staff. The main activities of the company are post harvest management, marketing and demonstration farm with research and development facilities. Talking to The Morung Express, officials of the factory said that Patchouli saplings are distributed to the villagers after which the Naga Fragrance unit purchases the growth production plants. Essential oils are further extracted through the unit plant and marketed outside for various purposes including its tenacity in perfumes, medical use and cosmetics. Most of the rural farmers are devoid of marketing strategy. The unit is specially emphasized on post harvest management where the farmers will have less worry over their production markets. The community research center recommended by Indo-Global Service Society funded by a Germany based organization was conceived with an idea to communicate and train developmental skills to the rural section and initiate agri based seminars, as stated by K. Ella, Assistant Director, PH in her brief report on the center.
While addressing the gathering, the DC in his inaugural speech lauded the plant and appealed to all the farmers and also the authority to be sincere and maintain dignity of labour to result in a sustainable development. He stressed on the inapt attitude and mindset of the Naga people and how one should educate oneself to patience and discipline and avoid violence. He further urged the neighboring villagers and authority to cooperate with each other and control peace in the area.
Expressing the vision of the NFPL, Dili Solomon stated that it is committed to making all the contract farmers as shareholders of the company and making them professional farmers through training and exposure. “Within five years the farmers will be lakhpatti”, mused the Director while adding, “I will make the Fragrance of the Nagas reach New York in 5 years time”. He also stated the unit’s target to contract 250 farmers for cultivating patchouli by generating 40 lakhs patchouli saplings and other spices crops like vanilla, black pepper, etc. it has also targeted to set up another vessel attached to the distillation unit with the help of the Nagaland Rural Bank and another Super Critical Fluid Extraction Unit with financial help of UBI, Dimapur and SFAC.
“The farmers will be provided support in the technical way and not by monetary incentives. If they require water supply, the unit will provide the pump machine, if need shed to protect the plants, sheds will be provided in material and financing them directly”, Dili told The Morung Express, when asked if villagers could refrain from unfair means.
A report of the project was briefed by the Technical Manager of NFPL, Ranjit Chetia who emphasized on the technical production of the plant and the product implementation in various medicinal and cosmetics use. Dr. Temsu, Chairman PH also spoke on the occasion and exhorted the villagers of the importance of the unit.
Short speeches were delivered by Dr. NK Mohan, Regional Project Co-ordinator, SFAC Guwahati, Gautam Goswani, Spices Board Dimapur, MC Gayatri, AGM, NABARD, Dimapur, L Kaikho, Manager, New Delhi Assurance Company Dimapur and representative from United Bank of India, Dimapur. The speeches stressed on the villagers’ benefit through the unit and assured its assistance and cooperation in every possible way. The Director also informed that being the Year of Farmers; he invited the Directorate of Agriculture, Horticulture, Wasteland and Industries to attend the function who surprisingly did not turn up.
The programme was chaired by Maong Jamir, NSACS funded project Manager, invoked by Fr. VM Joseph, Rector, DBS Dimapur while vote of thanks was delivered by Kedutsolo, Chairman, Patchouli Farmers Group. Special presentations were performed by PH’s ACC inmates and Moa and Alem.
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