Union Minister for Agriculture emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts for sustainable agricultural growth in the region

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 9, 2025

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhand on Thursday praised the potential of Meghalaya and the Northeast to become a hub for fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

“Meghalaya is a treasure trove of agricultural wealth. The variety of chillies, pineapples, ginger, turmeric, bananas, and even orchids is extraordinary. The Northeast can truly outshine other regions in agriculture and horticulture,” he remarked.

Chouhand was addressing at the Golden Jubilee and Farmers Expo 2025 organized by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, to mark its 50 years of dedication to agricultural innovation and development in the Northeastern states of India.

The program was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Dr M Amapareen Lyngdoh, who visited the various stalls showcasing the region’s rich agricultural diversity.

He emphasised the need for developing crop varieties with longer shelf life, improved logistics, and strengthening the lab-to-land approach.

“ICAR must focus on increasing the shelf life of crops and ensuring they reach consumers in the best condition. The transition of science from the lab to the field must be faster to benefit farmers directly. Natural farming, innovative technologies, and the unique potential of crops like bamboo, honey, and mushrooms must be leveraged to uplift rural livelihoods,” he added.

The Union Minister also commended the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and assured continued support to the state.

He reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts between ICAR, agricultural universities, and government departments to chart a roadmap for sustainable agricultural growth in the region.

Chouhan emphasized that Meghalaya’s biodiversity is a wealth to the region and added a roadmap to be worked out tirelessly. There is a necessity for better coordination among ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, KVKs, and state departments. The region has different agro climatic zones, which require a combined effort of several departments, particularly for the development of a logistic hub, processing, value addition, and pricing of the products.

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, addressed the occasion through a recorded speech. She congratulated the Institute for 50 years of unparalleled service and dedication and commented that ICAR has developed hundreds of varieties of crops, livestock, and climate-resilient technologies suited to the agroclimatic conditions of the region that help to enhance food security and livelihood security of the region. She said that the production of food grain and horticultural crops has increased by 30% and 40%, respectively, over a decade. Speaking on the significance of agri-based enterprises, she said that agri-based enterprises and allied sectors have been instrumental in generating livelihoods and attracting youth to agriculture in the region. This has led to an increase of 25% in Agri-entrepreneurs among youth in the last 5 years, she added. She also exclaimed that there is a need for documentation and validation of indigenous resources, germplasm conservation, and pairing local knowledge with modern technologies.