Arunachal Minister Gabriel Wangsu flags off agri mission to reach 3.25 lakh farmers

Our correspondent

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu on Thursday underscored agriculture and allied sectors as the cornerstone of the state’s development strategy, citing significant progress achieved over the past five years.

Launching the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025 here, the minister announced that the state has allocated Rs 2,000 crore under the Atma Nirbhar Scheme, with 50 per cent contributed by the state government, benefiting over 52,000 individuals and self-help groups (SHGs).

This investment, he said, is driving widespread prosperity across rural Arunachal.

Wangsu also flagged off the Krishi Raths, mobile outreach vehicles that will traverse villages to directly engage with farmers and deliver agricultural knowledge, technology, and information on government schemes at their doorstep.

Terming the occasion ‘proud and historic’, the minister said Arunachal Pradesh was actively joining the national agricultural transformation campaign under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership. “The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is not just a campaign; it is a jan andolan (people’s movement), whose success lies in the hands of our scientists, field officers, financial institutions, SHGs, FPOs, and above all, our hardworking farmers,” Wangsu said.

He also thanked Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan for conceptualising the initiative and acknowledged the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in driving the state’s agricultural readiness.

The state aims to reach over 3.25 lakh farmers across 1,380 villages during the intensive two-week campaign.

The mission involves integrated coordination across the departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and dairy development, and fisheries, alongside Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), SHGs, and financial institutions.

Highlighting a strategic goal, Wangsu reiterated the state’s ambition to be recognized as the ‘Orchid Capital of India’, led by the horticulture department. He noted that a new integrated processing unit at Wakro is poised to revolutionise value addition and agri-processing, ensuring fair pricing for farmers and creating job opportunities.

“The agricultural transformation is evident through 46 FPOs now working closely with the Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB). Over 20,500 hectares have been certified for organic production, placing Arunachal Pradesh at the forefront of sustainable agriculture,” he said.

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