SHILLONG, Jan 9: The Meghalaya government on Thursday said it is facing logistical challenges to transport the state’s agricultural produce to other states and abroad.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee and Farmers Expo 2025 at the ICAR campus, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said while the region’s climate, soil conditions, and availability of human resources are conducive to agricultural growth, these advantages are stymied by logistical barriers.
He said the Northeast is facing immense challenges despite potential to become a hub for vegetables and fruits.
He called for regular dialogues among ICAR, research institutes and the state government, suggesting that meetings be held every three to six months once to address the issues.
Sangma expressed concerns over the region’s logistical inefficiencies, highlighting a peculiar contradiction: flowers for weddings in New Delhi are imported from foreign countries despite the fact that the Northeast has an abundance of flowers. He attributed this to the region’s logistical difficulties.
To address this, he called for the establishment of a logistics hub in Guwahati, which would significantly ease the transportation problems being faced by farmers. He said the short shelf life of perishable products produced in the region further complicates the situation. He said this called for the setting up of more food processing and packaging units in the region to ensure that the produce reaches markets in an optimal condition.
Sangma highlighted the critical role being played by ICAR in transforming the agricultural landscape of the Northeast. He said since its inception, ICAR has developed over 100 crop varieties, introduced high-yielding livestock breeds, and promoted sustainable agricultural practices such as integrated and organic farming.
The CM commended the dedication of ICAR scientists, researchers, and staff in reshaping agriculture in the region. He acknowledged how ICAR’s innovative solutions, such as integrated organic farming systems, have not only empowered local farmers but have also provided new entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth of the region.
