Arunachal Pradesh has called upon the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to strengthen agricultural infrastructure across the state by expediting a tailored development strategy, creating a specialized institute for kiwi fruit, and extending technical outreach to remote mountain areas. Addressing the 97th annual general meeting of the council in New Delhi on Tuesday, Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu emphasized that farming practices in mountainous regions require scientific solutions designed specifically for difficult topography and widely scattered rural populations.
Fast-Tracking the Sustainable Agriculture Roadmap
The minister highlighted previous deliberations held with Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his visit to the state on June 30. Following those discussions, the task of formulating a comprehensive agricultural development strategy was entrusted to the director of the ICAR Research Complex for the NEH Region. Wangsu requested the institution to accelerate the preparation of this framework, stressing that the final roadmap must remain practical, adhere to a clear timeframe, and focus on delivering measurable outcomes for local farmers.
Establishing a Dedicated Central Kiwi Research Institute
Advocating for targeted horticulture development, Wangsu reiterated the state’s proposal for setting up an ICAR Central Kiwi Research Institute in Arunachal Pradesh. This demand had previously been put forward during the 96th annual general meeting of the council. Explaining the economic significance of the crop, the minister noted that Arunachal Pradesh generates nearly 60 per cent of India’s total kiwi production. The high-value fruit has emerged as a crucial economic driver for farmers living in the temperate zones of the state, making specialized research facilities essential for improving yield quality and post-harvest management.
Expanding Grassroots Support via Krishi Vigyan Kendras
To ensure agricultural technology reaches remote farming households, the minister requested approval for 10 new Krishi Vigyan Kendras in districts that currently lack dedicated facility centers. Arunachal Pradesh presently operates 17 such centers, while formal proposals for the 10 additional locations have already been submitted to ICAR-ATARI in Guwahati. Wangsu underscored that the state’s challenging terrain and dispersed rural settlements make grassroots extension services vital. He concluded that the state views ICAR as a strategic knowledge partner in building a sustainable, climate-resilient, and technology-driven agricultural economy.
