Arunachal agriculture minister calls for state-specific policies at National Rabi Conference

Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture & Horticulture Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu underscored the urgent need for state-specific policy interventions for Himalayan and hilly states during the National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign 2025 in New Delhi.

Highlighting the unique physio-geographic and agro-climatic challenges, Wangsu emphasized that these regions require targeted assistance from the Centre, particularly in land terracing projects for soil and water conservation—an area where no dedicated efforts have been made so far.

The two-day conference was attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Dr. M. L. Jat, DG of ICAR, along with agriculture ministers and top officials from across the country.

Wangsu further called for the establishment of agricultural science schools nationwide to provide formal training to educated but unemployed youth, enabling them to become agri-preneurs and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat. He cautioned that farming communities are ageing rapidly while younger generations are increasingly distancing themselves from agriculture. Formalized education, akin to Industrial Training Institutes, he said, would be a game-changer in revitalizing the farm sector.

In a widely applauded proposal, Wangsu also sought the creation of a separate “Indian Agriculture & Allied Services” cadre to recognize and streamline the contributions of agricultural scientists. He stressed that farmers’ interests must remain safeguarded in any Free Trade Agreements (FTA) negotiated by India.

Addressing the gathering, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the Rabi conference as a true example of “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team”. He assured that state and UT-specific roadmaps would soon be finalized through dedicated workshops with support from central officials.

Chouhan also announced the relaunch of the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ from October 3, under which over 2,000 teams of scientists will visit villages to provide farmers with timely guidance on Rabi crops. These teams will include experts from central and state agriculture departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, agricultural universities, Farmer Producer Organisations, and progressive farmers.

The Union Minister reiterated the Centre’s commitment to stand firmly with the farming community, including ensuring timely disbursal of insurance benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.