ITANAGAR, 7 Sep: Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday assured the Centre that with improved connectivity in the state, the state government will do everything possible to achieve self-reliance in the agriculture sector.
Attending a virtual conference chaired by union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Khandu said the Centre’s agriculture infrastructure fund (AIF) would be a game-changer for the sector and the state government would immensely benefit from the flagship programme, an official communiqué said.
The new AIF, the duration of which will be 10 years, till 2029, aims to provide a medium- to long-term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
“Agriculture as a viable sector in the state is still in a nascent stage, mostly due to geographical factors. However, in recent years, connectivity has opened up opportunities for farmers and is turning agriculture into a viable economic activity,” the chief minister said.
Khandu requested the ministry to handhold the state in establishing cold-chain facilities across the state under the AIF.
He reasoned that, due to the state’s vast geographical area, cultivable pockets are located far and wide, which he said calls for a robust cold-chain network to transport and preserve agriculture as well as horticulture produces.
Welcoming the Centre’s push for oil palm cultivation on a mission mode, the chief minister said that, as per a survey conducted by a central team in 2019, Arunachal has at least 1.33 lakh hectares feasible for commercial cultivation of oil palm.
“We assure everybody that this surveyed land does not come under forest land category but falls under unused wasteland,” he said.
Khandu further said that, as per records, only about 5,000 hectares have been used for oil palm cultivation, most of which are lying abandoned at the moment.
With the renewed intention and planning of the central government, this can be revived for doubling the income of farmers by ensuring an assured market, he said.
“We are in touch with a few of the erstwhile investors to establish their oil palm factories. We are hopeful that, with the incentives being provided by the government now, they will agree to do so, the chief minister said.”
Agriculture Minister Tage Taki, his advisor Gabriel D Wangsu, Chief Secretary (in-charge) R Verma, Agriculture Secretary Bidol Tayeng, and CEO Okit Paling also attended the videoconference. (PTI)
