ITANAGAR, Nov 7: The Lohit district administration has come up with a comprehensive model in the field of agriculture and allied sectors which will be replicated in five other districts of the state.
Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar while advocating bringing about a “revolutionary development,” along the lines of the Green Revolution and the White Revolution, in the agriculture and allied sectors in Arunachal, cited the example of the Lohit administration, which has established the Lohit Agricultural Farmer Producer Organization, a cooperative society of farmers that helps them sell their organically grown agriculture and horticulture products.
The CS was speaking during a meeting on Thursday with Agriculture & Horticulture Secretary Bidol Tayeng, AH&VS Secretary Mimum Tayeng, NABARD General Manager GK Nair, and others at the civil secretariat here on adopting the Lohit model.
Considering the availability of vast land resources and favourable climatic conditions for agri-horti, animal husbandry and fisheries development, the CS identified West Kameng, East Kameng, West Siang, East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley to “follow Lohit district’s concept, in order to provide better income generation and markets to the farmers.”
Kumar, however, welcomed “customization and modification as per suitability of the region or district.”
The Lohit administration has also created an online market at www.lohitfarmers.org with e-payment facilities. This has created a huge opportunity for the local farmers, and has contributed to the rural prosperity.
Kumar also sought “every means of support” from the Spice Board, the NABARD, and the APEDA to propel the growth of agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors in Arunachal.
Representatives of the Spice Board, directors and officers of the agriculture, horticulture and AH&VS departments, representative from the APEDA, and the DCs of Lohit, West Kameng, East Kameng, Lower Dibang Valley, and West Siang also attended the meeting. (CSO)
