GUWAHATI, 13 Jun: The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd (NERAMAC), a central public sector enterprise under the DoNER ministry, presented a series of ambitious project proposals aimed at strengthening Arunachal Pradesh’ horticulture, plantation and agri-processing sectors, during a meeting with Agriculture & Horticulture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu here on Saturday.
The proposals included integrated fruit processing, a fruit park and plantation expansion project, an integrated end-to-end value chain development project for Gucci (Morchella spp) and shiitake mushrooms, and a concept note on the establishment of an e-auction centre for large cardamom in Arunachal.
The meeting was attended by the director and senior officers of the Horticulture and Agriculture Departments, GoAP, along with officials from the NERAMAC, led by its chairman.
During the deliberations, Wangsu underscored the need for a scientific and evidence-based approach to agricultural development, emphasising that projects must be rooted in extensive research, rather than assumptions.
He stressed that all project documentation, including data, photographs and field assessments, must be authentic and region-specific. “We should not rely on copied or generic information. Every proposal must accurately reflect the realities of our region,” Wangsu said.
“There is little value in repeatedly talking about the vast potential of our land if we are unable to effectively harness it. Our focus should be on practical and measurable outcomes,” he added.
Wangsu directed the NERAMAC and departmental officials to first identify the most suitable locations for cultivating Gucci mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms and large cardamom and develop them as model clusters. Successful interventions, he noted, could subsequently be replicated in other parts of the state.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to supporting viable agricultural initiatives, Wangsu assured the NERAMAC of full cooperation and institutional support wherever required.
Expressing optimism about the proposals discussed, the minister said he hoped the deliberations would translate into meaningful outcomes for farmers, entrepreneurs and producer groups across Arunachal.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to further examine the proposals and work towards developing sustainable, market-linked value chains capable of enhancing farmers’ incomes and strengthening the state’s horticulture and plantation economy.
