Arunachal Pradesh minister visits IIHR to promote horticulture

Bengaluru : Arunachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu visited the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) in Bengaluru recently to explore opportunities for collaboration aimed at improving horticultural practices in his state. Wangsu saw the horticulture, development in Bengaluru. He praised the dedication of IIHR scientists and their contributions to advancing horticulture in India.

“Your work is transforming the lives of farmers across the country, and that is something to be deeply proud of,” he said. The minister expressed interest in initiatives like seed and sapling procurement of IIHR’s Arka brand and shared plans for Arunachal Pradesh’s ‘Catch Them Young’ project. This initiative trains young farmers in modern horticultural techniques. Wangsu proposed setting up a dedicated training center in Arunachal Pradesh to strengthen collaboration between IIHR and local farmers.

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“Arunachal has vast and fertile land with immense potential for horticulture. With IIHR’s expertise, we can unlock significant growth in the sector,” he said. IIHR Director Dr. T.K. Behera and senior scientists presented the institute’s achievements and ongoing projects, particularly those benefiting the North Eastern Hill (NEH) states, including Arunachal Pradesh. They discussed areas of production such as fruits, vegetables, and spices and shared plans for introducing new crops like flowers and medicinal plants.

State Horticulture Secretary Koj Rinya highlighted challenges faced by farmers in Arunachal Pradesh and invited IIHR scientists to visit the region to better understand its agricultural landscape. She praised IIHR’s support for the state’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras and urged the institute to expand its services to reach more areas.

The visit marks a significant step toward collaboration between Arunachal Pradesh and IIHR to advance horticulture, improve farmer livelihoods, and unlock the state’s agricultural