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THE
POLICY OBJECTIVES
CONTACT ADDRESS
Introduction -
Agricultural Policy
1.1 Arunachal Pradesh is slowly developing its economy with the objective
of improving the quality of life of its people. The tasks ahead are up
hill, the resources available are plenty but the ways and means to achieve
the objective through gainful utilization of the resources are not well
defined.
Technology has been relegated to the back resulting in stagnation of
growth. However, the state has gained much over the years, it is now
necessary to consolidate the gains in order to make it sustainable and add
new dimension during the coming years, so as to increase household income
generation.
1.2 Keeping all these factors in mind and the need for achieving higher
economic growth and creating job opportunities for the rural unemployed
through Agriculture and allied sector, it is necessary for the state to
have a well defined policy. The policy should govern the entire gamut of
Agriculture scenario of the sate. Towards that goal, the new State Policy
on Agriculture has to deal with the multifaceted problems and devise ways
& means to redress them.
1.3 The major constraints are low level of productivity, capital
inadequacy, lack of infrastructural support, unfavourable terrain, high
cost of production along with demand side constraints. The non
availability of basic preservation, storage and processing facilities, low
value addition and unfavourable price of Agricultural commodities are
severely affecting as a whole which directly encourages migration from
rural areas to urban centers.
The Policy Objectives
2.1 Top priority to be accorded on increasing farmers’ income.
The new policy would accord top priority to increasing the incomes of
farmer's. This is necessary in view of the topographic disadvantages,
communication bottleneck that hinders other income generating
activities.
The Policy, therefore, emphasizes all income generating activities like
Cash crop, Floriculture, Fruit culture, Fish and Pig rearing,
Agro-processing and so on along with all other activities that are
considered necessary for the purpose.
2.2 Addressing problems related to Shifting Cultivation
Special emphasis to be given on shifting cultivation, ensuring better land
management, introducing improved cultivation in slop land through
Agro-forestry, Horticulture and encouraging other household
activities.
The programme is to be designed in such a way that there would be
simultaneous thrust in weaning the Jhum farmers towards better
cultivation. In this regard observations of S.P. Shukla Commission Report
on ‘Transforming the Northeast’ (march 1997) pertaining to Jhum
Farming is worth noting :’Hill farming in the Northeast is largely under
Jhum though there are some excellent terraces in certain states and
expanding patches of wet rice cultivation. Jhum farming is becoming less
productive with a shrinking Jhum cycle and has caused erosion and forest
regression in certain areas. Not all Jhumias resettlement schemes have
worked well; nor can jhuming be ended all at one. The problem needs to be
tackled sensitively as Jhum cultivation is also a way of life.’
The ICAR has evolved a three-tier hill-farming package combining forestry,
Horticulture or tree farming and terraced cultivation as one moves down
the hills. Jhum improvement is advocated by others and can be carried
further through appropriate R&D. Nagaland has pioneered an excellent
method of upgrading Jhum by interposing a strong and increasing component
of agro-forestry through assisted tree planting of selected fast growing
economic timber, the menu being a producer of meticulous exercise in
bio-diversity mapping, documentation and breeding of plant material for
Widespread propagation".
2.3 Location specific strategy development.
Efforts would be made to formulate an area specific differentiated
strategy taking into account the agronomic, climatic, socio-economic
practices as well as the resource worthiness of the farmer. Special
emphasis will be made for introducing the newly developed H.Y.V. seeds,
improved planting material, adoption of new technology and mechanized
farming.
2.4 Convergence of allied activities.
There would be a shift from the commodity approach to system approach in
Agriculture. All the land based activities like that of Agriculture,
Sericulture, Live Stocks, Fish rearing etc. would be given a new dimension
and synergetic functional assignment. The ultimate objective is to create
conditions, which would help the farming community to maximize incomes.
The policy will aim at avoiding duplication of programmes / works by
different functionaries, as far a possible. Towards that end, there will
be regular monitoring and evaluation of all schemes implemented by
Agriculture and allied Departments through appropriate mechanism.
2.5 Technology Transfer.
Importance will be accorded to identify new location specific and
economically viable improved species of Agriculture, Horticulture,
Livestock and Fish etc. Accordingly motivational aspect of Agriculture
Extension would receive due attention. The entire extension system will be
revitalized. Innovative and decentralized institutional change will be
introduced to make extension system responsible and accountable.
Development of human resources through capacity building and skill
up-gradation of Extension functionaries will receive due attention.
2.6. Supply of Inputs.
Adequate and timely supply of inputs such as seed, fertilizer, pesticides,
Agri-tools and implements, credit at reasonable rate to farmers will be
provided by the Govt. and other institutions, subject to availability of
resources and funds. Grater emphasis will be given to increase the
consumption of such inputs for achieving the targeted increase per unit
area productivity.
As far as possible use of organic manure/compost will be encouraged to
avoid ill effects of inorganic fertilizers.
Soil health card, quality testing of inputs like fertilizer, chemicals
etc, will be introduced and supply of spurious inputs will be
checked.
On farm management of water, increasing the area under irrigation through
the use of surface water and sub-surface water will receive added
attention.
2.7 Facilitate private investment in Agriculture.
Efforts would be made to create conditions that encourage participation of
the private enterprises in the establishment of Agro-based industries. .
An incentive package and guideline would be finalized ensuring
participation of private sector & financial institutions in the
Agricultural sector as a whole NABARD will have to play a major role in
canalizing investment. To meet local credit needs of farmers, Rural Credit
Banks are to be set up.
2.8 People’s participation:
The new policy would encourage formation of "Self Help Group" ,
village committees at different levels . The village committee would be
vested with the task of maintaining and managing the assets created so far
like irrigation channel, terraces market shed etc.
2.9 Research and Technology package:
Location specific Agricultural research, based on identified agro-climatic
zone will be accorded foremost importance. Development of need based
technology package for achieving higher productivity would constitute the
thrust area of the new policy. Effort will be made to build a well
organized efficient and result oriented agricultural research &
Education system for introducing technological changes in the Agricultural
sector.
2.10 Marketing infrastructure:
Emphasis will be laid on development of marketing infrastructure and
techniques of preservation, storage, and transportation etc. with a view
to reduce the post harvest losses and ensuring a better return to the
grower. Direct marketing and procurement by a notified State level
procurement agency, as and when required with storage facilities of
different items will be made available to the production areas.
Up-gradation and dissemination of market intelligence will receive
particular attention. Efforts will be made to strengthen the market
infrastructure.
2.11. Agro - processing:
Setting up of Agro - processing units in production areas will be given
due priority. To reduce post harvest wastage, effort would be made to add
values especially to agricultural and horticultural produce by setting up
small processing units. The small farmers Agricultural business consortium
(SFAC) will be activated to cater to the need of farmer entrepreneurs. Tea
will be brought under Agriculture sector, but for processing it may be
under industries Sector.
2.11 Price Support:
Market intervention scheme involving procurement through a notified agency
will be implemented for selected Agricultural / Horticultural Crops so
that farmers are assured of remunerative prices.
2.12 Use of information Technology:
The database for Agricultural sector will be strengthened to ensure
greater reliability of estimates and forecasting which will help in the
process of planning and policy making.
2.13 Flood & drought Management:
It will be the endeavour of the Govt. to device a mechanism by which the
floods and droughts affecting the agricultural production could be
tackled. Provisions under national crop insurance scheme would be reviewed
facilitating its introduction in the State. Subject to availability of
funds. In foothill areas, water pumping system to be provided to exploit
ground water. Further, contingency agriculture planning would be
encouraged along with the use of drought and flood resistant crop variety
in the affected areas.
2.14 Cost of implementation of New Agricultural Policy:
The state will have to bear the additional cost of implementation of the
New Agricultural policy / Programmes and the annual plan allocation of
funds to Agriculture and allied sectors will have to be increased
correspondingly.
DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:
Mr. Tajom Taloh, Secretary to Chief Minister
Secretary (Agriculture)
Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar, Pin-791111
Phone - 0360- 2212493 (O) 2212980 (R)
Mr. Tago Basar
Director of Agriculture
Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh
Naharlagun, Pin-791110
Phone - 0360-2244252 (O) 2244462 (R)
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