AALO, 8 Apr: Agriculture and allied departments Minister, Tage Taki distributed two tractors and 16 power tillers among farmers of West Siang district in a function held at the office premises of the Agriculture department on 7 April under the sub-mission on agricultural mechanization.
Speaking on the occasion, Taki said that “efforts are being made to mitigate growing demands of the farmers to take up agriculture in a mechanised way.”
While he stressed on farmers’ registration to receive government aid, he encouraged community farming and fencing “as the government is not in a position to fund individual needs of farmers.”
He also asked the department officers to give production statistics so that more demands can be placed with the central government. He directed field officials to make field visits and provide technical knowledge to the farmers. He also stressed on composite farming and double cropping to raise their income.
Taki informed the farmers that he also managed to raise 87 pigs from a mere five pigs that he had initially reared.
The minister also visited his alma mater, the RK Mission School and interacted with the school authorities and students of the school.
MLA Kento Jini stressed increasing the use of power tillers to meet the growing demands of the farmers and more funding for the development of fisheries in the district as “fish consumption is very high in the district.”
He also disclosed that high breed potato seeds have been distributed among farmers of his constituency.
Progressive farmer Besi Ado also spoke on the activities undertaken and problems faced by the farmers of the district.
Earlier, Taki inspected various schemes under agriculture, horticulture, veterinary and fisheries in the district with Aalo East MLA Kento Jini, Animal Husbandry Director Dr ND Mintoo, Horticulture Joint Director Tage Tatung, Agriculture Joint Director Karbom Riram, West Siang Deputy Commissioner Moki Loyi and concerned heads of offices. (DIPRO)
