Itanagar: With a ratio of 1:14, Arunachal Pradesh has the highest number of government service holders in comparison to other developing states in the country, said Sonam Chombey, Planning Secretary of GoAP.
Addressing the opening session of a day-long conference, organised by the ASSOCHAM on “Linking Prospective Food Entrepreneurs with Government Schemes & Markets” in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GOI with the initiative of state government, here on Monday,Chombey urged youths not to run for white collar jobs as there were very limited vacancies.
Instead of running behind government jobs, he appealed them to build their future by starting up their own business in agri and horti sectors.
The programme was sponsored by NABARD, SBI, Arunachal Pradesh energy development agency, CIH, NEDFi and others, attended by resources persons and many enthusiastic young promising entrepreneurs with key objective to sharpen the entrepreneuring skills of the first generation as well as tiny entrepreneurs in agro-food processing sector by linking them with the support service providers.
Arunachal is geographically bigger in size among the other NE states, however, “we have succeeded in taking care of a very limited land for agri/horti product cultivation,” the Secretary informed, adding, considering the temperature condition, the state having both temperate and tropical lands and both are suitable for firming different types of horticulture produces.
She said besides agri/horti cultivation, the state has tremendous scope in spice and bamboo production. The state is the second highest producer in large cardamom production, Chombey added.
Thanking the organisers for holding such an important conference here, the appealed to the promising and budding entrepreneurs to start up their business in agri/horti allied sectors with a small investment and believe, which could be grown to a bigger industry one day in future with their huge energy and endurance.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion,Arunachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing & Processing Board (APHPM&PB) MD Tage Tatung informed that the state with a geographical area of 83,743 sq km and population of nearly 14 lakh, has identified 18 lakh hectors of suitable land for producing horticultural corps. Out of which, only 1.13 lakh hectors of land was brought under cultivation till date, he further informed. (UNI)
