NAHARLAGUN, Nov 28: Agriculture Secretary, Y W Ringu said that the state government has accorded top priority to agriculture and allied sectors, which is the primary occupation of the people of the state.
Addressing a consultative meet with a team of officers from the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad at Naharlagun on Tuesday, Ringu emphasized on the need for ensuring optimum utilization of manpower support under Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) programme.
She also appealed to all stakeholders to bring convergence in their approach for farmer centric programmes under state and central sector schemes to accomplish tangible results.
The officers from MANAGE are currently on a study visit for revitalizing agriculture extension in Arunachal Pradesh.
She also appealed for improving work culture, efficiency and accountability of the technical manpower with government policy support to transform the agrarian economy of Arunachal Pradesh into a vivacious one.
Advisor of Agriculture Department, A K Purkayastha explained the present status of extension services and suggested creating optimum infrastructures for a vibrant extension service delivery system through institutional strengthening.
He said that in order to ensure doubling the farmers’ income by 2023 as envisioned by the Prime Minister of India, the state government has already initiated numerous farmer-centric programmes, like Organic Mission, Honey Bee mission, CM’s Agri-Mechanization Programme, interest-free crop loans to farmers, such as CM’s Krishi Rinn Yojana, Horticulture Research and Development wing and additional back-ended subsidy of 25 percent towards CSS on livestock and dairy development.
He also informed that special emphasis is being given on fish production, besides promoting crop diversification like tea, rubber, oil palm, king chilli and off-season vegetables.
Reforms in Agriculture and Livestock Marketing (facilitation) Act for facilitating post harvest management, value addition, packaging, branding and market linkage is in the pipeline, he said, and was of the firm believe that with revitalized agriculture extension service, farmers’ income is likely to be more than double by 2023.
Earlier, Dr B Renuka Rani, Assistant Director, MANAGE explained the purpose of the meeting and study visit.
Director of Agriculture Anong Lego also provided inputs.
The officer from MANAGE would be visiting State Agriculture Management & Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) and ATMA, Pasighat on November 29 and 30 to explore possibilities of upgrading the institutional infrastructure and organizational architecture.
The meeting was held in the conference hall of the Directorate of Agriculture, Naharlagun and attended by district and state level officers of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Fisheries, Textile & Handicrafts (Sericulture) departments.
