Workshop on supply chain management of high-altitude horticulture and livestock

3^rd March 2025, Dirang

ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone VI, in collaboration with the State Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, KVK West Kameng, and ICAR-NRC on Yak, organized a Regional Level Workshop on “Supply Chain Management of High Altitude Horticulture and Livestock: Opportunities and Challenges” today. The workshop, held at the auditorium of ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the advancement of high-altitude agriculture and livestock management through effective supply chain strategies.

The objective of the workshop was to explore the potential of high-altitude horticultural crop management and improved varieties, alongside enhancing livestock productivity through scientific supply chain management. The event provided a platform for experts to deliberate on innovative solutions, discuss technology gaps, and devise strategies to optimize production, value addition, and market access for farmers in high-altitude regions.

The Chief Guest, Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, in his keynote address, underscored the importance of market-driven strategies, value addition, and improved processing of local produce, particularly kinnow. He urged the stakeholders to extend their focus beyond traditional agricultural practices by ensuring access to high-quality planting materials, improving storage infrastructure, and fostering rural entrepreneurship in the region. 

Dr Mihir Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NRC on Yak, emphasized the necessity of plant protection measures for high-altitude agriculture, particularly in the context of organic farming. He also highlighted the importance of infrastructural development in high-altitude livestock sectors to ensure sustainable productivity and market integration. 

Welcoming the participants, Dr G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI, emphasized the need to bridge the technology gaps in high-altitude horticulture and livestock. He stated that KVKs in the region should conduct On-Farm Trials (OFTs) on identified technologies to validate their effectiveness and recommend suitable interventions to state departments. 

Dr M.K. Verma, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Jammu and Kashmir, highlighted the significance of technology intervention in high-altitude horticulture, emphasizing the role of research and innovation in enhancing productivity and sustainability.

During the workshop, eminent scientists provided valuable insights into high-altitude fruit, vegetable, spice, medicinal, and aromatic plant cultivation, as well as livestock management. The discussions also addressed critical challenges faced by farmers, with experts offering practical solutions to improve productivity and profitability. The workshop was a rare occasion where policymakers, bureaucrats, scientists, researchers, and farmers shared a common platform to exchange knowledge and experiences.

Earlier, Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, ASRB, laid the foundation stone for the traditional village knowledge bank of the Monpa Ethnic Group at Thembang Village.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone VI, Guwahati)