Gabriel D Wangsu, Minister, Agriculture & Allied Sectors, Arunachal Pradesh at the recently held 15th Agrovision 2024, spoke with AgroSpectrum on the various initiatives to boost rapid growth of agriculture sector of the state.

Arunachal Pradesh has an agriculture-based economy where more than 70 per cent population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. As the state is endowed with enormous natural resources and suitable agro-climatic zones, the sector therefore, continues to be central to all strategies for the state’s planned socio-economic development. Gabriel D Wangsu,  Minister, Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, at the recently-held 15th Agrovision 2024, spoke with AgroSpectrum  on the various initiatives to boost rapid growth of agriculture sector of the state, aimed at achieving self-reliance,  household food security and  forging equity in  income  wealth distribution to  rapidly reduce  poverty. Edited experts;

What are the state government’s strategies for promoting exotic fruits and vegetables in Arunachal Pradesh?

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh encourages the cultivation of horticultural produce such as kiwi, avocado, dragon fruit, and persimmon under the umbrella scheme of  Atmanirbhar Bagwani Yojna, wherein all the schemes are encompassed under a bank-linked credit subsidy scheme comprising time-bound implementation and participation from various stakeholders such as government, bank, project consultants and progressive farmers.  The line of credit is usually provided by the State Bank of India, Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank, and Arunachal Pradesh Cooperative Apex Bank. This scheme is a part of the government’s broader agricultural reform strategy, contributing towards a holistic vision of achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat, with agriculture acting as the fulcrum towards making India self-reliant and economically strong.

The government encourages young and marginal farmers to come forward and promote the cultivation of exotic fruits and vegetables in the state. However, since Arunachal holds self-sufficiency in producing indigenous fruits and vegetables, the focus is mostly inclined towards developing market linkages for the produce for better remuneration to farmers. Considering the abundance of locally produced fruits and vegetables in the state, the government has not emphasised field trials on exotic fruit production. Through the Atmanirbhar Bagwani Yojna, the state  government is thus invested in boosting domestic production and reducing dependency on imports in various sectors.

Have any initiatives towards the production of biofuels been taken?

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has so far not come up with any such policy to facilitate biofuel production using maize, fodder, bamboo or blending with conventional fuels. Earlier, discussions were held regarding the production of biofuel using bamboo from Arunachal as a major raw material. However, the state has yet to integrate biofuels into its energy mix. The government aims to foster economic growth, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to India’s goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix. However, the conception of such initiatives in line with India’s broader biofuel strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, is yet to take off.

How impactful has wine tourism in Arunachal been to the local economy?

The “Wine Story’’ in Arunachal Pradesh is indeed very successful. Besides enjoying the status of being the largest kiwi producer in the state, Arunachal also produces apples, citrus and pineapples in abundance. The bountiful fruit production has thus attracted entrepreneurs from all over the state to invest heavily in the wine industry. Kiwi fruits cultivated in Arunachal Pradesh are of high aroma and flavour, thus producing a very crisp and fresh kiwi wine.

The state holds tremendous scope for the establishment of food processing industries in the agriculture and allied sectors, especially in horticulture.  Arunachal is the home to India’s first organic kiwi wine – Naara Aaba. Through the combination of the tradition of wine-making with advanced and sustainable technology, the wineries located in the state have churned out delicious Kiwi wines that have left a mark nationwide. Arunachal Government has its own Winery Policy that is currently being revised to make it more market-friendly, farmer friendly and entrepreneur friendly to attract greater investments to wineries enhancing employment opportunities thereafter. When it comes to identifying potential tourist circuits and incubating them until they mature as destinations, the “Land of Dawn Lit Mountains’’ offers ground-breaking tourism concepts in terms of wine tourism. The blending of wine tourism with Indigenous tourism, makes for a heady concoction indeed.

The journey of the wine industry, set up in the backdrop of unforgiving mountainous terrain, combating transportation bottlenecks and relentless efforts on enlightening farmers about the huge potential of kiwi fruit as an ingredient of wine, has evolved over time. Arunachal currently witnesses wine festivals and events offering tourists with opportunities to visit the orchards, indulging in wine tasting activities and spicing up itineraries with elements of tribal culture, folklore and traditions that are proposed for promotion of wine tourism in a more enabled, sustainable and inclusive manner.

How is bamboo being instrumental as a means of livelihood in Arunachal Pradesh?

Bamboo is an integral part of the socio-economic life of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. Entrepreneurs in the state consider bamboo as a money spinner in terms of “Green Gold’’ being used for producing various kinds of furniture, handicrafts, etc. The state comprises 300 – 400 bamboo species as on date and the Government has therefore set up R&D units to explore the untapped potential of bamboo in Arunachal. The growing demands of bamboo nationwide, has attracted entrepreneurs from the state towards establishment of bamboo-based industries, for its high-end value products with less investment.

The people of Arunachal are artistically gifted and hence Handloom and Handicraft industry, offers wide scope to produce a variety of artistically blended and beautifully designed clothing. The main handicraft items made in the state include masks, carpets, painted wooden vessels and silver articles. Cane and Bamboo thus play an important role in the rural economy of Arunachal Pradesh. The commercial aspect of the bamboo resource being very high can be considered as the most viable wood and can be effectively used to revive the closed down plywood units of the state.

With the state boasting of conserving the highest number of bamboo species in the country, the government believes that the state is in the best position to address national concern of enhancing market share of bamboo-based products and therefore intends to undertake initiatives to promote the utility of bamboo in the state, aligning them to the national objectives.

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