ROING, 17 Nov: Minister for agriculture and allied sectors Gabriel D. Wangsu called upon the officers to focus on creating opportunities for youths in the farm sector and ensuring remunerative prices for the farmers.
Addressing a review meeting here in Lower Dibang Valley district on Sunday, Wangsu said that placement of a revolving fund and the upcoming ‘Catch Them Young’ programmes are among various initiatives of the state government to engage with youths in the farm sectors.
The minister urged the officers to identify potential progressive farmers and real farming enthusiasts, stressing the need for targeted support to those with the
resources and passion to succeed.
“The most important task ahead is identifying the right farmers for the schemes. We need to diversify the types of farmers benefiting from these programs and identify those truly committed to farming,” the minister said.
“The true measure of success should be the harvests and outcomes that directly benefit the farmers, we need to ensure that the lives of our farmers are secured, and employment opportunities are generated in rural areas,” he added.
“We have a lifetime opportunity to change the lives of our farmers for the better,” he said, and sought suggestions from officers to ensure a more genuine approach to addressing issues and finding solutions through the new policies for agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Wangsu also called for specific and realistic demands from district officers rather than overwhelming the government with excessive proposals and requests, and urged officers to closely monitor the beneficiaries under Aatmanirbhar schemes.
He further called for paying serious attention to the ongoing livestock census, stressing that accurate data is crucial for effective implementation of schemes.
Emphasising on boosting dairy activities in Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley and Namsai districts, the minister directed the officers to prioritize formation of cooperative societies.
Wangsu addressed several other key concerns, including land encroachments, the lack of a comprehensive agricultural policy, and the need for diversification in fish production.
“We must not just produce fish, but also fish seeds and feeds. Relying on random hawkers for seeds is detrimental to our farmers,” he said.
He stressed the need for ensuring perfect quantity and quality of food products with proactive actions to protect consumer rights under the ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ campaign.
Wangsu also underscored the need for comprehensive reforms to improve the agricultural practices and provide sustainable livelihoods to the farmers.
Advisor to education minister Mutchu Mithi and Roing MLA Punyo Apum also participated in the interactive session and emphasised the importance of supporting the agricultural sector in the region.
