Tawang, Apr 18: A two-day regional workshop and stakeholders’ meeting on "Strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Vibrant Villages of North East India" began on Friday at the Kalawangpo Convention Hall in Tawang.
The event is being jointly organised by Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal and ICAR-ATARI Zone VI, Guwahati, in collaboration with ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad. Local coordination is being managed by the College of Agriculture, Pasighat and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tawang.
The workshop was inaugurated by national organising secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Dinesh Kulkarni. The event was attended by several dignitaries including vice-chancellor of CAU Imphal Anupam Mishra; deputy director general of ICAR, New Delhi, Rajbir Singh; Chhetra pracharak for the Northeast region and RSS national executive member, Ullas Kulkarni; organising secretary of Deen Dayal Research Institute, New Delhi, Abhay Mahajan; director of ICAR-ATARI Zone VI, G Kadirvel; and circle officer of Jemeithang, Deewan Mara, who represented the deputy commissioner of Tawang.
A key feature of the inaugural session was the launch of the ‘ARUNKISAN’ mobile application, developed specifically for farmers in Arunachal Pradesh. Designed by faculty members of central agricultural universities including Senpon Ngomle and Y Disco Singh, the app is funded by the National Mission on Himalayan Studies. It aims to provide farmers with critical, timely agricultural information, especially in remote and border areas, to support sustainable and efficient farming practices.
Addressing the gathering, Mishra highlighted the rich natural resources and high-value crops of Arunachal Pradesh. He noted the state’s early initiatives such as launching its own agricultural trading portal, and pointed to efforts being made by the government to improve rural infrastructure, including storage and road connectivity.
Kulkarni commended the region’s cultural and agricultural heritage, highlighting the improved year-round access made possible by infrastructure projects like the Sela Tunnel. He also referred to his visit to the Tawang Monastery, noting the integration of cultural and agricultural identities.
Speakers including Kulkarni, Mahajan, and Kadirvel emphasised the role of community-based agricultural development and the significance of FPOs in supporting rural livelihoods and regional economies.
As part of the event, members of the Tawang Green Farmers Producer Company presented samples of their packaged agricultural products to dignitaries. The day concluded with a visit to exhibition stalls set up by FPOs from various parts of Arunachal Pradesh, followed by an interaction session chaired by Rajbir Singh to facilitate direct dialogue between farmers and policymakers.
The workshop is expected to contribute to the development of strategic frameworks for building FPO capacity and enhancing policy support for sustainable agriculture in the region.
