Shillong, Jan 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma highlighted the pressing need to address logistical challenges stifling the growth of agriculture and allied sectors in the Northeast during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at Umiam.
“The Northeast has the potential to become a hub for the country’s organic farm products, vegetables, turmeric, ginger, mushrooms, and honey. However, logistical constraints like inadequate cold storage and transport facilities have hindered us from realizing this potential,” Sangma said.
He noted that while the region’s agricultural bounty, including Meghalaya’s pineapples, oranges, ginger, and turmeric, has already found markets in Europe and the UAE, the lack of robust infrastructure is a critical roadblock. Despite this, the state government strives to bolster the agricultural ecosystem, supporting farmers with welfare programs and encouraging agro-entrepreneurship.
The Chief Minister also called for collaborative research to address region-specific challenges, such as the destructive bud rot disease plaguing areca nut plantations. “We need ICAR and the state machinery to develop tailored solutions to combat such threats that impact livelihoods across Meghalaya,” he urged.
Sangma further emphasized the need for climate-resilient agricultural practices and sought central support for scaling up bamboo production and developing cluster approaches for crops like ginger. He advocated empowering grassroots organizations like Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to drive agricultural growth at the local level.
President Droupadi Murmu, in a recorded message, congratulated ICAR on its milestone, while Governor C.H. Vijayashankar and State Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh graced the event. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of a united front among ICAR, state governments, and agricultural universities to craft innovative, farmer-centric solutions.
Chouhan proposed a quarterly consultative meeting to ensure a cohesive strategy for addressing farmers’ challenges. “I am committed to personally attending one of these meetings to better understand and resolve the issues on the ground,” he added.
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