TURA, July 26: The National Buyer-Seller Meet-cum-Exhibition, organised by the College of Community Science, CAU, Tura, concluded in Shillong on Saturday. The event focused on strengthening market linkages and promoting institutional convergence to drive agricultural transformation in the Northeast.
Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR, addressed the valedictory programme as the Chief Guest.
In his address, Tripathi identified climate change, transboundary zoonotic diseases and poor connectivity as significant challenges for agri-entrepreneurs.
He then commended the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, for its role in fostering innovation and value addition in the region.
Gambegre MLA Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, who attended as the Patron, distributed prizes to winners across various categories.
In her address, she praised the creativity of local artisans and their commitment to preserving indigenous traditions.
Urging them to seek international recognition, she stressed the need for better quality control, branding
and marketability.
She also called on consumers to support handcrafted products to sustain local livelihoods and traditional knowledge.
Meanwhile, ICAR Director Dr. Kadirvel Govindswamy spoke on the necessity of creating robust markets for unique products like black turmeric.
He advocated for stronger industry participation, legal support systems, and regular impact assessments of such meets to ensure they lead to commercially scalable ventures.
The programme was also addressed by BSF DIG Lalit Mohan Sharma and Ian Borney Saiborne, Director of the Department of Food Processing, who lauded the initiative for connecting producers directly with markets.
