Speech of Pawar on NE Agri Ministers’ Conference in Sikkim


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Gangtok, November 29, 2013

Mr Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Government of India, inaugurated the Conference of Agriculture Ministers of North-Eastern States in Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok on November 28, 2013.

Following is the speech of Mr Pawar, who is also the president of the Nationalist Congress Party which he founded in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, distinguished Ministers of Agriculture & Horticulture of the North Estern States, officials of the Central and Statate Governments, Ladies & Gentlemen: I am very happy to be present amongst you for this conference of Agriculture & Horticulture Ministers of NE States, which is being organized in Gangtok.

The Conference would provide an opportunity for us to take stock of the potential and prospects of Agriculture & Horticulture in the region, besides identifying strategies for further development.

On the agriculture front, the NE Region (NER) holds tremendous potential on account of its fertile lands, abundant water resources, dependable rainfall and vast bio diversity.

Rice is the major stable crop of the region. However, productivity of rice continues to be below the national average. It is heartening to note that Assam is contributing about 4% of total rice production in the country. This has been made possible on account of popularization of boro (summer) rice cultivation in the state. Also, during 2011-12, Assam state was included in the scheme for Bringing Green Revolution of Eastern India. All other states of the NE were included under NFSM Rice since 2012-13. I expect that these states shall also demonstrate significant improvement in rice self sufficiency in the region, rather than depending upon stocks from the central pool. While these initiatives may help inimproving productivity levels, dominance of single crop in the cropping system would remain vulnerable to yield fluctuations on account of climate variations. It is, therefore, necessary to adopt appropriate crop diversification to suit the agro-climatic conditions of the region.

Another area of huge potential is oil palm cultivation. As you know, more than 50% of our edible oil requirement has to be imported. Last year, the country had to spend more than Rs.63,000 crore on import of edible oil. We are therefore, trying to promote oil palm cultivation in a big way. I am of the option that agro climate of NE is best suited for oil palm cultivation. However, so far, only Mizoram has been promoting oil palm. I am told that Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland have recently evinced interest in this sector. I would implore all States to take up oil palm cultivation in the region, in the interests of the farmers who are assured of buy back of their produce.

Launching of Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the NE States (TMNE) in 2001-02, subsequently renamed as Horticulture Mission for NE and Himalayan States (HMNEH) in 2010-11, paved the way for horticulture based diversification and economic development in the NER.

It is well known that the agro-climatic conditions of NER offer immense scope for cultivation of various horticultural crops. Today may horticulture crops of NER have a distinct place on the horticulture map of India: be it orchids and large cardamoms of Sikkim, Kiwis of Arunachal, pineapples of Assam, chillies of Nagaland, Anthuriums of Mizoram, Khasi Mandarins of Meghalaya, ginger of Manipur and potatoes of Tripura. Infact, the Region is known to produce best quality oranges and passion fruit in the country. Floricultuer crops such as orchids, begonias, chrysanthemum, liliums and heliconia thrive in the region. Root and Tuber crops like tapioca, sweet potato, dioscorea, colocasia, ginger and turmeric grow abundantly here.

I am glad that HMNEH has contributed in increasing production of horticulture crops in the region. Setting up of Model floriculture Centres has provided impetus to the floriculture sector. Initiatives taken under the Mission have encouraged women farmers to form self help groups to take up cultivation of cut flowers on a commercial scale. Sikkim has emerged as a hub for Cymbidium orchids with a dedicated Agri Export Zone for this flower. It is a matter of pride that anthuriums of this region are being expoeted to many European and Middle East Countries. Mission has also succeeded in capturing the natural advanatage for organic farming in the region for the benefit of farming community.

Scheme on Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters (VIUC) was launched during the year 2011-12, under the aegis of RKVY, for addressing the supply chain issues for vegetables in the state capitals of NE States. The scheme has helped to develop production clusters for vegetables and mobilization of farmers into farmer interest groups. There is need to get them registered as Farmers Producer Organizations (FPO) for enabling better bargaining power and better price realization. Government of India has launched two new schemes towards Credit Guarantee Fund and Equity Guarantee Fund for facilitating FPOs to play a leading role in agriculture development.

Horticulture production has registered a growth rate of about 4% during the last decade and NER is presently contributing about 11% of Spices, 8% of fruits and vegetables and 5% of cut flowers production in the country. However, there is scope for further improvement in productivity by promoting protected cultivation, micro irrigation and fertigation in conjunction with use of good quality planting material.

However, all these efforts would not give the intended results unless we make stronger arrangements for post harvest management, marketing and food procession. I urge states to use funds under various Central Schemes in an innovating manner by focusing on these activities. The National Mission for Food Processing should also be utilized for this purpose. WE have invited NE Council and NERAMAC here today so that they can draw up and implement a road map to link production centres with processing houses and consumption centres.

We have introduced a Horticulture Train for movement of perishable fruits and vegetables from production centres to consumption centres in a scientific manner, so that the quality is not affected. This facility should be used, especially for transportation of high volume products. For smaller volumes, railways have introduced a scheme of concessional freight for agricultural commodities. The states and Entrepreneurs of the NE should use these facilities that will help in better price realization for the farmers.

Central Government has also decided to setup dedicated and specialized institutions in the NE during the 12th Plan for development of human resources. Just day before yesterday, I have laid the foundation stone for a college of Agriculture in Passighat in Arunachal Pradesh. We also propose to set up College of Veterinary Science in Nagaland, Colleges of Horticulture in Mizoram and in Sikkim, college of Food Technology in Manipur and College of Agriculture in Meghalaya.

With a view to disseminate the latest technologies and capacity building of farmers and field staff, Government of India has set uup Central Institute for Horticulture in 2005-06 in Nagaland. CIH has developed demonstration plots for technologies like high density planting for guava and organic cultivation of pine apple. While the Government of India is committed to develop this Institute as a Centre of Excellence in the Region, I urge the State Governments to avail its facilities to the fullest extent. The Central Agriculture University in Manipur is already well established and I trust all States are using expertise and assistance to the fullest.

In short, opportunities for agriculture development in the NER are immense. The favorable policy environment that has been put in place by us needs to be harnessed to exploit the full potential of the region. I am sure, this conference will focus on some of the critical issues which need immediate attention of the Central and State Governments.

I look forward to recommendations of the Conference and assure you of the full support of Government of India in this endeavor.

THANK YOU

api

Si Langit

Donggala, Sulawesi Tengah

I'm a men with big obsession.

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