Thannganing Hungyo
Dimapur | March 27
Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar today inaugurated the first ever North East Agri-Expo at Dimapur by throwing open the gates to the agricultural fair. Instead of the customary ribbon, a sugarcane stalk was placed at the entrance. He cut the stalk by employing a dao handed to him by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, he said, “I expect that Agri Expo 2006 will be beneficial for farmers.” He also told investors they had excellent prospects in the region.
His emphasis was on the development of horticulture in the region. Under the Look East Policy, the initiative is to develop rail and road transport to boost economic growth, he said. Pawar, who is endeavouring to implement the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act tried his level best to woo investors from across the country who had arrived for the Expo to put their money in the region and thus cause public-private partnerships in agri and allied sectors.
The agriculture ministry gives special consideration to the region, he said. Pawar said there was a need to adopt modern agricultural practices, promote agri-marketing on a much wider scale, bring in private capital, and step up crop diversification. The Centre is seriously considering the proposal that the venue at Dimapur be made a permanent one, he said. While asking investors to devote finances in Nagaland, he said agri and allied sectors in Nagaland offer good inputs for development of a host of industries.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said, “The North East, with its abundant unexploited resources, fertile soil and favourable agro-climatic conditions, combined with its strategic location for trade with the ASEAN countries, is today promising numerous economic possibilities.” He proudly highlighted the many agricultural resources of Nagaland lying untapped.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kantilal Bhuria and his colleague in charge of food processing industries Subodh Kant Sahay accompanied Pawar. High-ranking Central government officials and ministers of the region were also present.
Sahay said he had cut short his appointment with Prince Charles who is presently in India and instead chose to come to Nagaland because of the attachment he has with the people of the region. He informed that the Prime Minister had only yesterday spent 3 hours in a meeting to discuss issues related to agriculture.
He conveyed his optimism by saying that the agri and allied sector could grow even 10 times bigger than the Information Technology sector. Bhuria, speaking in Hindi, asked farmers to take the best advantage of the stalls erected for them. Visit every stall and remove your doubts by asking questions, he advised.
Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry Agriculture Council Dhruv M Sawhney, said “The North East Agri Expo comes at a time when the agricultural sector in India is gaining vitality. CII is privileged to partner with the central government, the eight state governments, and agriculturists in the organization of the Expo in the beautiful region of the North East.”
Later speaking at the investors meet held at the venue, Pawar envisioned that the food processing sectors in the region will grow. He said each North Eastern State has unique strengths and “natural advantages.”
A lively discussion between legislators and investors took shape as representatives of North Eastern states put up their best performances in the attempt to persuade investors to invest in their respective states. The need to shift from agriculture to agribusiness was deliberated upon. Commercialization of agriculture is the need of the hour, an official said. The main hurdles to the growth of agribusiness in the region were also identified.
MExN
.jpg)
