SHILLONG: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture has lauded the Meghalaya government for initiating organic farming in all the blocks of the State.
Speaking to The Shillong Times after a stakeholders interface meet on National Horticulture Mission here on Wednesday, Hukum Narayan Yadav who is heading the committee, said some of the fruits found in Meghalaya like pineapple, banana and strawberry are better in taste and quality than those produced in other parts of the country.
He said the Parliamentary Standing Committee which is currently visiting Meghalaya would also mention about the demand of the State for a Central Agricultural University here. Reacting to a query, he said the Northeastern region has an important role to play in the second ‘green revolution’ in the country under which the government wants to increase the production of agricultural and horticultural products from 256 million tonnes to 300 million tonnes.
When asked about lack of marketing scope for farmers of the region and the State, he said marketing problems exist everywhere.
He however said the products from Shillong can be transported to Guwahati through refrigerated trucks since Shillong is now connected by a four lane road.
According to Yadav, the government is contemplating to have refrigerated bogies in all trains through which agricultural and horticultural produces from Meghalaya and other Northeastern states can be transported to other parts of the country from Guwahati.
“If we can do that I think Guwahati can become a regional agricultural marketing hub,” he said.
The committee would compile its report and submit it before the parliament.
