Meghalaya CM: Logistical Hurdles Stifle Northeast's Potential as a Vegetable and Organic Product Hub

Shillong, Jan 9 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, articulated on Thursday that logistical obstacles are significantly limiting the potential expansion of the agriculture and related sectors in the northeast. In his speech during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at Umiam, he called upon the Central Government to enhance the logistical framework in this area.

"The northeast has the capacity to serve as a hub for the nation’s vegetable and organic products, including mushrooms, turmeric, ginger, and honey, yet we have not been able to fully exploit our potential due to these logistical challenges," he stated.

He pointed out that the NE region offers a wide array of agricultural products that are suitable for export to different states. However, the absence of cold storage facilities and other necessary infrastructure has prevented these products from being exported to their maximum capacity.

“Despite these setbacks, several products from Meghalaya have successfully penetrated markets in Europe and the UAE, especially pineapples, oranges, ginger, and turmeric,” he noted.

The Chief Minister also shared that the government is actively working to bolster the agricultural ecosystem by offering support to farmers through various welfare initiatives and promoting agro-based entrepreneurship.

He praised ICAR’s commitment to advancing agricultural research and congratulated them on their golden jubilee while encouraging continued assistance for farmers in the region.

Furthermore, he stressed the necessity for collaboration between ICAR and state organizations to develop research-driven solutions for farmers, particularly addressing issues such as the bud rot disease that threatens areca nut plantations, causing substantial damage and jeopardizing livelihoods in numerous areas of the state.

He underscored the significance of inter-departmental collaboration to ensure resilience against climate change in agricultural practices. Additionally, he sought support for extensive bamboo production and the development of a cluster approach to enhance other agricultural and horticultural products like ginger.

He also appealed to the Union government to reinforce Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) at the grassroots level, enabling them to make decisions and spearhead growth in the agricultural sector.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the audience via a recorded message due to inclement weather preventing her attendance.

Governor C.H. Vijayashankar, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and State Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh also spoke at the event.

In his remarks, Chouhan highlighted the necessity of collaboration among ICAR, state authorities, and agricultural universities to formulate strategies and solutions tailored to farmers’ needs. He proposed regular consultations every three months among these stakeholders to ensure a unified approach, expressing his intention to personally attend one of these meetings to better understand the challenges farmers face, thereby providing more effective support and resolutions.