Arunachal CM seeks Centre's support for agriculture university

Itanagar, May 18 ( IANS) Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday sought the Centre's support for a full-fledged agriculture university and a Centre of Excellence for Horticulture to be established in Arunachal Pradesh.

Khandu conveyed this to Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Sudharshan Bhagat, who called on him at his office on Thursday.

Noting that technological support in agriculture and horticulture is crucial to boost farm output, the Chief Minister requested Bhagat to consider a full-fledged agriculture university and a Centre of Excellence for Horticulture in Arunachal.

On development of animal husbandry in Arunachal, Khandu requested for a Pig Research centre in the state to support pig rearing.

Similar to a Yak Research Centre set up in West Kameng district, Khandu called fo0r a National Research Centre for mithun, and said the animal has traditional values among the locals.

The mithun, also known as gayal, is a large semi-domesticated bovine found extensively in northeast India, Bangladesh, northern Burma and in Yunnan, China.

While noting that Arunachal has the largest numbers of mithun in the country, Khandu said that National Research Centre for Mithun will multiply its numbers and take care of its preservation.

The Chief Minister also told the visiting Union Minister that Arunachal has started its mission to make the state fully organic, in keeping with the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the states go organic.

The BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh launched Oragnic Mission last month and has set the target of three years to achieve the goal.

--IANS

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