Chowna Mein calls for research-oriented work in agri-horticulture sector

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has emphasized on the need for more research-oriented work in agriculture and horticulture sector by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to boost the sector in the State.

Attending a workshop on entrepreneurship development-cum-input distribution programme at KVK Momong in Namsai districts, Mein while citing the decline of Mandarin orange of the Wakro area in Lohit district of the State as a setback to the farmer which, could not be contained by the agriculture & horticulture departments till date, said that not enough research work has been done to control the menace.

He said that more research work need to be carried out by the KVK or ICAR in orange declining and other such type of diseases. He suggested for development of indigenous rootstock to contain such kind of diseases, an official communiqué informed here.

Extending full support of the government in infrastructure development of the KVK or ICAR research complex in the state, the deputy chief minister however, said that he is more interested to see the benefits percolate down to the farmers.

Lauding the works done by the KVK Namsai in agricultural extension works in the district, he said that Farmers Producer Company need to be strengthened to make them self-sustainable and to become an employer.

He further suggested to develop demonstration plot of tropical fruits in the KVK complex and also to popularize large scale cultivation of Khamti Rice and King Chilly, which have high demands in the market.

Mein informed that an auction centre and wholesale mandi would be established in the vicinity so that the whole area become a hub for promotion and augmentation of agricultural activities and marketing of agricultural produces which will benefit not only farmers of Namsai but whole of the eastern region.

He said that the recommendations of the various workshops and conclaves on agriculture & allied sectors had been incorporated in the budget and it is in the pipeline now. He, however, called for speedy implementation of the various schemes passed in the budget by the concerned departments stating implementation part as most important thing so that the people reap the benefits of those schemes, the communiqué added.

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