Khandu stated at a function at the College of Agriculture, an extension centre of Central Agriculture University (Imphal) at Pasighat in East Siang district, that numerous flagship programmes aimed at benefiting agriculture and horticulture sectors have had an impact on the status of farmers as well as luring young entrepreneurs to take up farming as start-ups.
"Every story in our schoolbooks used to begin with the phrase 'Once upon a time, there lived a poor farmer...' - today, we are at a point where we will need to rewrite these stories," he said. According to Khandu, official records show that many young entrepreneurs seeking to benefit from both central and state flagship programmes are eager to invest in agriculture and allied sectors, according to an official communique.
This trend, he claimed, was in defiance of the 'poor farmer' stigma that had persisted in the common man's mind for centuries. He informed Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who was also present at the event, about the state government's hugely successful 'Seva Aapke Dwaar' programme, through which the government is bringing all flagship programmes from the Centre and the state to the doorsteps of farmers.
According to the chief minister, more than six lakh people have benefited from these camps across the state. Khandu thanked the central government for focusing on agriculture and allied sectors while significantly improving the state's connectivity. In terms of farm produce marketing, he believes that farming and connectivity go hand in hand. "By default, we are an organic state, which adds value to our products. "We need to facilitate market linkages for our farmers, and this should be the experts' focus," he said.
According to the chief minister, the state government has already tapped a large market in the form of Indian Army contingents stationed throughout the state. "The state agriculture department has made a pact with the army for supply of fresh agriculture produces procured from local farmers at a rate beneficial to both parties. On Independence Day last year, we flagged off the first consignment of vegetables to the army," he revealed.
Earlier, in the presence of Khandu, state Agriculture Minister Tage Taki, MP Tapir Gao, local MLAs Kaling Moyong and Ninong Ering, CAU Vice Chancellor Prof Anupam Mishra, Dean Dr A K Tripathi, and district officials, Tomar formally inaugurated the Agriculture College's administrative and academic buildings and hostels.
The function also marked the end of a two-day kisan mela held on college grounds with the theme 'Innovations in Potato Farming to Empower Tribal Farmers in India', which was organized by the College of Agriculture in collaboration with the College of Horticulture and Forestry Pasighat and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, according to the communique.
