[Mingkeng Osik]
PASIGHAT, 15 Jan: The College of Agriculture (CoA) here in East Siang district on 14 January organised a programme marking the inauguration of a tribal girls’ hostel and an agro-eco tourism park, along with the operational launching of the ‘Aditya-Prabha Gram Project: Fostering Agricultural Harmony in Border Communities of the Eastern Himalayas’, supported by the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry through the North Eastern Council (NEC).
Addressing the gathering, NEC Shillong Secretary Satinder Kumar Bhalla spoke on the vision of Viksit Bharat, emphasising the need to improve agricultural production, value addition, and livelihood opportunities in border regions. He highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’ potential in kiwi cultivation and encouraged entrepreneurship and startup initiatives among the youths, stating that youth-driven enterprises are essential for building a self-reliant and developed India.
Earlier, Imphal (Manipur)-based Central Agricultural University (CAU) Director LM Garnayak said the Aditya-Prabha Gram Project aims at agricultural development through inclusive transformation of youths in agri-allied sectors “and promoting rural awareness for better human aspirations.”
He informed that the project focuses on fostering agricultural harmony in border communities of the eastern Himalayas.
Also present on the occasion was eastern Arunachal MP Tapir Gao, who stated that the Aditya-Prabha Gram Project is a pilot project, designed to test innovative models for agricultural and rural development in border areas. He also referred to the Vibrant Villages Programme, stating that both initiatives complement each other in strengthening border villages.
Gao urged the implementing agencies to “bring more creativity and innovation into the project, so that its benefits reach grassroots communities effectively.”
Gao further informed that a total outlay of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for the Aditya-Prabha Gram Project, and expressed hope that successful implementation of the pilot would lead to expansion of similar projects across more border regions in the future.
According to the project details, the initiative covers two Northeastern states – Arunachal and Sikkim -spanning seven border districts sharing international boundaries with China, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Tibet. A total of 70 target villages and around 2,100 farm families are expected to benefit over a three-year period.
In Arunachal, project sites include Tawang, Upper Subansiri, Shi-Yomi, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, and Changlang districts, while Soreng district is covered in Sikkim.
The programme was attended also by local MLAs Tapi Darang and Ninong Ering, along with CAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Anupam Mishra.
