Itanagar: Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Food processing Industries Dr Charan Das Mahant has assured that his ministry will extend all possible cooperation to the state government to increase agricultural production and its allied products.
Addressing the valedictory function of the three-day first ever Arunachal Krishi Expo & Kishan Mela – 2012, organised by the Agriculture Department and its allied sectors held at Indira Gandhi Park last evening, he said the state had made a remarkable achievement of 14 per cent in agricultural items and 195 per cent in horticulture production during 2010-11. To further improve the agricultural production and to make the state a fruit hub, the Union Ministry will give all necessary assistance to the state so that the state can achieve its desired goal, the Union minister assured.
The function was attended by the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister Setong Sena, parliamentary secretaries, economic adviser of the Union Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Gajendra Bhujwal and other senior officers.
The expo was participated by thousands of farmers from different parts of the state. The Union Minister said due to the suitable climatic condition and location, the state has a huge potentiality in apple, orange, kiwi, strawberry etc production but lack of infrastructural facility was the main hindrance to marketing the produce.
While responding to the state’s demand for construction of mega food parks, Mr Mahant said it is set up under special purpose vehicle in 35 to 40 acres of land for which the Centre provides a grant of Rs 50 crore.
The Union Minister also released two books on the occasion- handbook for field staff published by agriculture department and Training – A Tool for Capacity Building for Extension Professionals, published by ICAR, Basar.
In his address, Mr Tuki said his government had given top priority to food and farm income security to the 70 per cent of the state’s farmers and that’s why the government has decided to enhance government assistance under Chief Minister’s Agri-Mechanization programme from 2012-13 to the small and marginal farmers for procurement of costly firm machineries considering their financial condition.
He also sought Centre’s cooperation for setting up veterinary college, agriculture college and mega food park. For the benefit of farmers, the state government has launched a Kishan Credit Card scheme recently, which will help the farmers to access zero per cent interest bank loan to enable them to invest in seasonal farm operations for higher production, Tuki informed.
The government has also given thrust for cultivation of agriculture and horticulture products like strawberry, kiwi, orange, apple, millet, maize, paddy, bajra, and promotes the production of organic crops, vegetables, chili, tomato, onion ginger etc.
In his welcome address, Agriculture Minister Setong Sena appealed to the Union Agriculture Ministry for eight captive vans with 2 to 2.5 MT capacity each for transporting perishable products to outside markets and the construction of a horticultural college in the state. (UNI)