High-Level Task Force meets to strengthen the agri-horticulture ecosystem in Northeast India by addressing value chain gaps, boosting market linkages, reducing post-harvest losses, and promoting cluster-based growth to enhance farmers’ income and export potential.
A high-level Task Force focused on the development of the Northeastern states convened on Wednesday to address critical gaps in the agriculture and horticulture value chains across the region. The meeting aimed to strategize ways to reinforce the agri-horti ecosystem, enhance market linkages, and boost the income of farmers in the region.
The meeting was chaired by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and attended by key regional leaders including Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu, Sikkim Agriculture Minister Puran Kumar Gurung, and senior officials from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and the concerned state governments.
The High-Level Task Force (HLTF) underscored the urgency to systematically identify and address the bottlenecks existing in the agri-horticulture value chain. This includes production, post-harvest handling, processing, marketing, and logistics. The discussions highlighted the need to enhance market linkages to reduce inefficiencies and ensure that farmers can derive better value from their produce.
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the emphasis on reducing post-harvest losses, which remain a significant challenge in the Northeast, due to inadequate storage, transportation, and processing infrastructure. The Task Force recognized that minimizing these losses and lowering marketing and logistics costs are vital to improving overall value realization for farmers.
Participants agreed that the Northeast region possesses unique agricultural and horticultural strengths, which could be leveraged as the core selling proposition for its products. Specialization, quality enhancement, and branding were identified as essential elements to help Northeast agri-horti products stand out in both domestic and international markets.
The Task Force discussed the development of a strategic infrastructure roadmap to support export readiness, aligning with the Government of India’s broader initiatives to integrate Northeast products into national and global value chains. This includes identifying priority commodities for each state and promoting cluster-based development to ensure scale, efficiency, and market connectivity.
A blueprint-driven approach was proposed, beginning with the selection of specific products and addressing their entire value chains with clearly defined goals and investments. This product-wise strategy will be implemented in phases — short-term, medium-term, and long-term — to enable precise tracking and evaluation of outcomes.
The plan will also involve mapping the number of farmers engaged with each product across the Northeastern states and assessing how these farmers benefit through income enhancement and livelihood support. This data-driven focus will allow the Task Force to measure the impact of interventions and make necessary adjustments for maximum effectiveness.
The HLTF reaffirmed that a product-specific and cluster-driven approach is key to sustainable agricultural and horticultural growth in the Northeast. By fostering clusters of production around identified priority products, the region can achieve economies of scale, streamline supply chains, and better align production with market demand.
This strategic framework aims to boost the farmers’ incomes sustainably by eliminating inefficiencies across the value chain, strengthening market access, and encouraging private sector investment in infrastructure and technology.
Speaking on the meeting, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said, “The meeting focused on strengthening agri-based livelihoods, boosting horticulture potential, and ensuring sustainable growth for our farmers across the Northeast.” He emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between the states and the central government to maximize the region’s agricultural potential.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia reiterated the government’s commitment to the development of the Northeastern region and assured support for infrastructure projects, technological adoption, and market linkages that would empower farmers and boost regional growth.
| Also Read: Tripura Tea Industry Faces Crisis Under New India Policies |
The Task Force’s deliberations mark a significant step toward consolidating the Northeast’s position as a major hub for high-quality agricultural and horticultural produce. By addressing core challenges and implementing a targeted, data-driven strategy, the region can unlock its full potential and contribute significantly to India’s overall agri-export growth.
The collaboration between the central and state governments, backed by robust planning and investment, aims to transform the agriculture-horticulture landscape of the Northeast, ensuring farmers receive better incomes and consumers benefit from premium quality products.
