Arunachal Seeks Support from Assam Agricultural University for GI Registration of Indigenous Crops

A GI tag is an indication used to describe goods having special characteristics developing from a definite geographical territory.

Mein accompanied by Agriculture Director Anong Lego and a team of officers from the department, visited the university located at Jorhat in Assam during the day.

During a meeting with the Vice Chancellor (VC), scientists and faculty members of the university, the Deputy Chief Minister sought support and help from the institute in research and development besides evolving of packages of cultivation practices and GI registration of indigenous crops like the 'Khamti Lahi' rice, Monpa maize and 'Adi Kekir' (ginger), informed an official communiqué.

Highlighting the vast potential of agriculture and allied activities in Arunachal Pradesh, Mein informed that of the around 25 lakh hectares of cultivable land, 7 lakh hectares are fit for cultivation of food and commercial crops through conventional irrigation methods and 18 lakh hectares are suitable for horticultural crops.

"The State has a unique biodiversity. About 80 per cent of the population depend on traditional agriculture practices and produce organic produces," he said. The Deputy Chief Minister added that the Agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in the economy of the State as the sector contributes more than 32 per cent to the State's GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

He added that the State is bestowed with five agro-climatic zones supporting crop production of all climatic requirements and has vast water resources, large numbers of plant and animal genetic resources and there is plentiful scope of horizontal as well as vertical expansion of cropped areas as the state has so far been able to utilize only 14 per cent of the total arable area of 2.5 million hectare.

Mein also informed that the State government has accorded top priority to climate resilient agri and allied sectors activities, not only to achieve food and nutritional security but also to sustain livelihood and ensure remunerative return of the toil of farmer and also to create employment opportunities in rural areas to decelerate urban migration of young workforce.

"Geographical Indicators (GI) and networking for quality assurance, packaging, branding need to be promoted for exportable commodities to meet the international standards & protocol. Many indigenous crop species of high demand especially in the overseas market need to be GI registered for patenting so as to ensure Intellectual Property Rights protection to fetch premium price in the international markets," he said.

Mein added that the GI registration would not only be limited to 'Khamti Lahi' rice, 'Monpa Maize' and 'Adi Kekir' (ginger) but would be extended to other indigenous crops of the State.

AAU VC Dr. Bidyut C Deka informed that the varisity, established in the year 1969, is one of the oldest agriculture university in India. As the main centre of teaching, research and extension education in the field of agriculture and allied sciences in the Northeast region, it offers 19 different vocational courses.

"Apart from GI registrations, the University has created crop varieties and developed organic package of practices for crops in Assam," said Dr. Deka, and assured all support and assistance from the University to work in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government.

The Agriculture department and the University agreed to go ahead with the proposal and also signing of the MoU. AAU Jorhat and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Namsai has cultivated 10 varieties of the 'Khamti Lahi' rice as observation trials for development and purification of seeds during 2020.

Observation and cultivation for Monpa Maize and Adi Kekir (ginger) would be done from this year onwards.

Mein also made a field visit to the tea garden, Bio-fertilizer unit, animal husbandry & dairy department, plant pathology, and North East Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurs hub in the campus and interacted with the faculty members and students added the communiqué.

Also Read: Shillong: BSF Seizes 30 Cattle Cramped In a Truck

Also Watch: Guwahati Book Fair Does Business Worth Rs 8 crore