Agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh with a massive 94% rural population, is the largest state in the North-East India. Consequently, the economy of the state is based of agriculture. Jhum cultivation and Terrace farming are the major patterns that the farmers employ to uplift agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh. In Jhum cultivation, lands are prepared by cutting down or burning the unwanted cultivation, while in terrace farming hilly cultivated lands are shaped into multiple terraces to prevent soil erosion and quick runoff of water. The Government of Arunachal Pradesh Agricultural Policy in 2001 formulated these objectives:

• Dissolve problems of Jhum Cultivation.
• Supply sufficient inputs.
• Encourage private investment
• Developing agricultural infrastructure.
• Modernize drought and flood management.

Out of 83,74,200 hectares, agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh occupies only 1.10 lakh hectares under Jhum cultivation and 90 lakh hectares under permanent cultivation. The topography and climate of Arunachal Pradesh is conducive for the cultivation of rice, millet, wheat, pulses, sugarcane and potatoes. There are 8 Government farms in Arunachal Pradesh. They are:

• Government Agricultural Farm, Pasighat
• Government Agricultural Farm, Pampoli
• Government Agricultural Farm, Yazali
• Government Seed Farm, Sonajuli
• Government Seed Farm, Bolung
• Government Seed Farm, Tezu
• Government Seed Farm, Jomlo
• Government Potato Foundation Seed Multiplication Farm, Tawang.

The institutions upgrading Agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh are:

• Soil Testing Laboratory, Pasight
• Gramesevak Training Center, Pasighat
• Farmers Training Center, Pasighat, Kheram, Ziro, Salari
• Organic Fertilizer Production Unit, Kheram
• Seed Testing Laboratory, Sonajuli.

The agro-climatic conditions also promote Horticulture in Arunachal Pradesh, producing tropical and sub-tropical fruits like Apple, Pineapple, Orange, Pear, Plums, Chestnut, Walnut, Guava, etc. Other major Horticultural products in Arunachal Pradesh are bamboo, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants, ginger, cardamom and mushroom.

Last Updated on 03 January 2011