Dimapur | December 14: North-East Naga Traders Pvt. Ltd (NNT), an agro-based firm has recently signed the FLO-CERT (fairtrade agreement). It has been informed that NNT is the first firm from the Northeast to sign the agreement.
By becoming a FLO-CERT certified company, the firm is to provide guarantee to consumers that they are contributing to the social-economic development of people through their purchases, states the FLO-CERT website. Although just about a year old, the firm is said to be doing quite well in the market.
Managing director of NNT Kathi Chishi said the firm had signed the agreement with FLO-CERT to improve the quality of produce and to develop fair practices by farmers, which would further create profitable and transparent trading platforms in the agriculture market in Nagaland. “...it’s a win, win situation,” he explains.
Elaborating more on the advantages of FLO-CERT, he said the NNT would now evaluate the produce right from the output at the farm till its delivery to the buyer. Moreover, the firm would ensure consumers of better quality produce.
Earlier there were cases of mixing spoiled crops with fresh produce, in consignments transported to buyers. Such instances of malpractice lessen the chances for farmers to satisfy the specifications of buyers and in turn, the farmers end up with no market to sell their produce, Chishi added.
He said that unlike other states in India, Nagaland is not a place for mass production but farmers can always focus on quality produce - small in quantity but good in quality that it would satisfy the expectations of consumers and profit the farmers with premium prices for their products.
Concerning Naga farmers, Kathi said they should focus on one type of crop and not variety, so that their crop secures better bargain in the market. On its website, NNT states that it aims to introduce Naga farmers to global trading. The site further states: “…seeing the deplorable state of agriculture market in Nagaland marred by exploitation of price and ignorance of farmers taken advantage by companies, NNT Pvt Ltd was started to cater to needs of farmers and create awareness to farmers on market trends. The fact that farmers face difficulties in growing on a commercial-scale despite having enough potential thrust, furthers the formation of the company. Keeping in mind various difficulties faced by farmers, NNT Pvt Ltd seeks to disseminate to farmers on demand and supply of products, price risk and credit risk factors, price of commodities across the country, cost effective factors and eventually provide a fair, transparent and efficient trading platform to all participants.”
Explaining on how NNT goes about its functions, Kathi disclosed that NNT works hand in hand with Nagaland State Marketing Board and Agriculture Production Marketing Committees. Further, he said agriculture in Nagaland should be given importance so farmers would comfortably support their families as well as meet basic needs without any hassle.
