Nagaland Economy & Industry

Agriculture

Nagaland has an agrarian economy. About 70% of the total population of the state depends on farming. The main crops grown in the state include rice, millet, maize and pulses. Cash crops like sugarcane and potato are also grown in some parts. Coffee, cardamom and tea come under plantation crops which are grown in hilly areas.

Majority of the population is involved in the cultivation of rice as it is the main staple diet of the people. More than 80% of the gross cropped area is under rice cultivation. A sizeable population of the state grows oil seeds which includes Rapeseed, mustard etc.

There are two methods of cultivation which exist in Nagaland. The Naga tribes practice both jhuming and terrace cultivation. The area under jhum cultivation is about 87.339 hectares and under terraced cultivation is about 62,091 hectares.

Although majority of population is engaged with cultivation, still Nagaland depends on the import of food supplies from other states. This is due to less availability of food grains in the state as the area under cultivation is less.

Industry

Nagaland has achieved remarkable progress in small and medium scale industries. Today the state has 30 industrial units, and over 300 small-scale industries. The Nagaland Sugar Mill at Dimapur has an installed capacity of 1,000 tones per day.

Nagas make beautiful decorative materials. Cottage industries such as weaving, woodwork and pottery are also an important source of revenue. Tourism is important, but largely limited owing to the state's geographic isolation and political instability in recent years.

Thrust Areas for industrial growth

    Food Processing Industries
    Bio-tech Industries
    Tourism Industries
    Floriculture
    Agro-Forest based Industries
    Handloom & Handicrafts
    Mineral based Industries
    Electronics & IT
    Sericulture
    Petrochemicals