An interactive meeting was held today at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region with Shri Gabriel Denwang Wangsu,
Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, along with Shri Samuel Changkija, IFS, Secretary Agriculture, and Smti Koj Rinya, IFS, Secretary Agriculture,
Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The meeting was attended by Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR RC NEH, Umiam; Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Director, ATARI
Zone-VII, Umiam; Heads of Divisions; and scientists from various divisions of the institute.
During the interaction, Shri Gabriel Denwang Wangsu emphasized the importance of utilizing social media
as an effective tool for disseminating agricultural information among farmers. He highlighted that communication in local languages would further enhance
outreach and understanding among farming communities. Stressing the evolving needs of agriculture, he remarked that the focus should now shift from “lab to land”
to “lab to land to market.” He also suggested that ICAR establish sale counters to enable farmers and state departments to procure authentic seed materials at affordable rates.
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The Hon’ble Minister further observed that attracting youth towards agriculture remains a significant challenge and emphasized the need to “catch them young” through proper education and awareness so that they can benefit from government schemes and make agriculture a sustainable livelihood option.
Shri Samuel Changkija, IFS, Secretary Agriculture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, stressed the importance of translating scientific and technological knowledge into simple and understandable language for better acceptance among farmers. He noted that while progressive farmers are already performing well, greater efforts are required to bring the “backbenchers” of the farming community to the forefront. He further highlighted the importance of improving post-harvest management techniques to enhance agricultural production and profitability.
Smti Koj Rinya, IFS, Secretary Agriculture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, expressed concern over the decline in orange and kiwi production in Arunachal Pradesh, which has discouraged many farmers from continuing agricultural activities. She requested ICAR to intervene with appropriate scientific solutions and emphasized the need for quality training programmes for youth to make agriculture more attractive and remunerative.
Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Director, ATARI Zone-VII, Umiam, stated that many technologies developed by ICAR are not adequately reflected in the action plans of state governments. He emphasized the need for wider adoption of advanced technologies developed by ICAR institutions.
Earlier, while welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR RC NEH, Umiam, highlighted the various activities undertaken by the multidisciplinary institute. He assured that research addressing changing climatic conditions and emerging agricultural challenges would be taken up in project mode to provide practical solutions for the farming community. Referring to the issue of declining kiwi production, he urged scientists to train farmers on effective pollination practices and develop innovative strategies to address the problem.
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