New Delhi, Nov 19 (NationPress) - The Union Minister for Communications and the Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, took part in the fourth high-level task force meeting focused on milk, eggs, poultry, meat, and fisheries on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, and included officials from Nagaland, the Department of Fisheries, and representatives from all eight northeastern states.

The Task Force conducted a comprehensive demand-supply analysis across the eight states to establish a solid foundation for a cohesive framework. Key topics discussed included connectivity and logistics, infrastructure and value chains, human resources, breeding and productivity enhancements, as well as methods for expanding credit access and private investment. This integrated approach aims to pave the way for innovative strategies in the region’s food systems.

The minister remarked, “Our goal is to establish a connected, efficient, and resilient food ecosystem for the Northeast that enhances livelihoods, broadens market access, and guarantees improved nutrition for every citizen.”

To ensure swift progress, the meeting decided to initiate interventions in two states for each product category — milk, eggs, poultry, meat, and fisheries. This will generate real-time learning that can be scaled across the region, enabling sharper, evidence-based expansions.

A clear implementation structure was also defined, involving coordinated participation from central ministries, state departments, and private stakeholders. Each intervention will be mapped to specific stages of the value chain, ensuring that roles are clearly defined from origin to end consumer. Funding components for these initiatives will similarly be organized with joint contributions from all three parties.

The discussions further highlighted the necessity of viewing the Northeast as a unified, integrated market. Improved movement of surplus to deficit areas, identification of each state's competitive strengths, and stronger intra- and inter-state trade linkages will bolster the region’s capacity to function as a cohesive food economy. Over time, this integrated market strategy is expected to catalyze more efficient logistics, improved market access, and broader economic opportunities.

Scindia stressed the significance of a bottom-up approach, leveraging insights from each state while aligning them with national priorities and private sector expertise. Concluding the session, he stated, “By fortifying production, upgrading value chains, and enhancing logistics, we are laying the groundwork for a future where the Northeast’s food economy is self-sufficient, market-ready, and driven by shared prosperity.”