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ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support the farming community and encourage farmers to expand their agricultural ventures in the state.
Speaking at the inaugural day of the three-day Arunachal Pineapple Festival at Bagra in West Siang district on Wednesday, Mein expressed optimism about the future of agriculture in the state and assured farmers of the government’s unwavering support for their growth.
“I am honoured to be among the farmers of Bagra and the larger West Siang district. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and I have always remained close to this vital sector as a farmer myself,” an official statement quoted Mein as saying.
He highlighted the importance of using events like the Pineapple Festival to promote tourism alongside local agricultural produce, culture, and cuisine.
Mein pointed out that Arunachal Pradesh’s vast landmass and favorable agro-climatic conditions allow the cultivation of diverse crops such as pineapples and oranges. He specifically recognized Bagra as the state’s hub for pineapple production, contributing about 9,000 metric tons annually from West Siang district alone.
With 265 farmers involved in pineapple farming in the area, the region is also noted for its orange production, further demonstrating its agricultural potential, he added.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, both the central and state governments have introduced several initiatives to uplift farmers in the state,” Mein said.
He mentioned programs such as the Atma-Nirbhar Bagwani Yojana (ANBY) and Atma-Nirbhar Krishi Yojana (ANKY), which aim to empower farming communities across Arunachal Pradesh.
Substantial funding has been allocated to these programs to drive agricultural development, Mein added. Addressing one of the key challenges faced by farmers, Mein acknowledged the issues related to marketing their produce.
“I am aware of the challenges faced by our farmers, where sometimes even good produce are sold at distress prices,” he said and emphasized the urgent need for post-harvest management solutions, including the establishment of food processing units for value addition and a mandi in the Siang belt.
Mein urged entrepreneurs to explore such initiatives to improve farmers’ economic conditions, allowing them to sell directly to consumers and wholesalers without middlemen.
The deputy chief minister also stressed the importance of promoting regional agricultural products globally. He advocated for Geographical Indication (GI) registration of the Bagra Pineapple, noting that Arunachal Pradesh already has GI-tagged products, such as Arunachal Orange.
“By registering Bagra Pineapple as a GI product, we can protect its uniqueness and promote it in national and international markets,” Mein said. He also announced plans to showcase Arunachal’s GI products at the upcoming Arunachal GI Mahotsav in New Delhi.
Mein underlined the need to strengthen the state’s Research and Development initiatives through the State Horticulture Research and Development Institute (SHRDI) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to further support agricultural growth.
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