In a first of its kind in Nagaland, Investment Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) is all set to organise ‘Bloom Bazaar’ at the historic site “The Heritage”, old DC Bungalow in the state capital Kohima. 

A ceremonial launch by Advisor to Chief Minister and Chairman IDAN, Mr. Abu Metha will kick off tomorrow at 12 PM, while, a formal inauguration by Nagaland Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio will take place on September 30 at 5:00 PM.

Addressing media persons at the Heritage in Kohima on September 28, Mr. Metha said, the main focus of the event is to promote the flower industry and support the state floriculture entrepreneurs, but also create space for other entrepreneurs and sections, to come and participate and show the best of what Nagaland have.

He said, once the launching is done, the Bloom bazaar will take place every weekend that is Friday and Saturday from 12 PM to 7 PM.

The IDAN Chairman said, there will be 45 stalls, wherein visitors can witness different varieties of flowers and foliage including activities like music, art, food, jewellery, fashion and stalls related to kids.

Mr. Metha informed that 15 government departments particularly in the Agri and allied sector such as horticulture, Agriculture, Industries & Commerce, Nagaland Bamboo Mission, Honey Mission and alike,  will be taking part.

He added that spaces are also being given to the private entrepreneurs to promote and sale their products.  

Mr. Metha exuded hope that this event will not only promote flowers and entrepreneurship, but it will also generate keen interest in the tourism prospect in Nagaland.

We hoped that in the coming weeks, it will become a tourism destination not only for people coming from outside, but for local citizens and domestic tourists, he added.

The Chairman said, the weekend bazaar will facilitate a form of recreation for the local people as well as enable the visitors or tourists planning to visit the state to schedule their itinerary accordingly.

Mr. Metha also announced that with the support of state Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio and the collaborative partnership with financial institutions like the NorthEast Small Finance, Nagaland Rural Bank and Bank of Baroda, IDAN will be launching a Floriculture Scheme during the formal inauguration of the Bloom Bazaar on September 30.

He said, IDAN is identifying the flower growers whereby loans will be extended to the identified flower growers of the state. 

Mr. Metha mentioned that under this special Scheme, the flower growers will pay only lower interest rates, with no collateral and long term moratoriums.

He said, the scheme is aimed at up-scaling the flower industry so that floriculture industry can also give a boost to the economy of the state.

Asserting that there are 100s or 1000s of Nagas not only women but also those who passionately grow flowers at home and earning their livelihood from the profession or hobby, the Chairman said, IDAN want to professionalise the flower growers and enhance their businesses, by bringing best practices and minimum standard of the industry, so that Flowers from Nagaland will one day make a mark not only at the National level but international level. To this, Mr. Metha expressed confidence that the Naga citizens especially the women folk are capable of doing it.

He also said, IDAN is studying to collaborate with the National and International companies where it want to bring in the best quality seeds and give capacity building exercises, workshops and seminars in this sector,  so that the government can help out the local entrepreneurs at grass root level.

Highlighting on the conservative studies carried out by the IDAN, Mr. Metha said, the Bloom Bazaar 2023 once it gets started, it will generate close to 450 weekend employment and more than 300 permanent employments.

The IDAN chairman further informed that the Government of Nagaland has sanctioned 40 lakh rupees for the Bloom Bazaar.

 

SkS/A/Rk

 

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