North East News Agency

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has asked investors to seriously look into North-East, having unique ecology and vast potential in agri business while inrgting the North East Agri Expo 06 in Dimapur. The Union Minister  said that North-East will soon have border trade with the ASEAN countries under the Look East policy. Mr. Pawar laid emphasis on the development of horticulture in the region.

Meanwhile, in Delhi perturbed over the slow pace of agricultural productivity, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set up two high-powered authorities to speed up growth and made it clear that funds earmarked for farm sector should not go down the drain.

The Prime Minister said these funds should be properly spent so that the farmers actually benefit and there is increase in agriculture production and productivity at the first meeting of Agriculture Coordination Committee. Dr. Singh told the meeting that the utilisation of funds is critical to ensure that higher outlay lead to better outcome. If productivity and production do not increase we would only be pouring money down the drain. Hence proper utilization of the allocation that has been provided is critical,กจ the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters that the details of the new authorities - the National Rainfed Area Authority and the National Fisheries Development board will be prepared and put before the cabinet. The Union Minister said that his ministry is tring level best to implement the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act. Mr. Pawar stressed on the need to adopt modern agricultural practices, promote agri marketing on a large scale, bring in private capital and step up crop divesification

Organised by CII and co- sponsored by DONER and supported by Government of Nagaland, the five day expo highlighted the vast agri potential to the industrial community besides bringing all stakeholders into a single platform to address growth and development needs of the farm sector of the North-East. The innauguration of the expo had the participation of many dignatories. The list includes  Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kantilal Bhuria and his colleague In Charge of Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahay apart from a galaxy of other dignitaries, officials, businessmen and top private investors.

The investors meet immediately followed the innauguration. Speaking here Mr. Pawar said that every State of the North-East has its unique features and strengths and that with these natural advantages there is scope for many development activities. He said that the country is on track to become one of the leading food nations of the world .he said that there is a visible shift from food grains to horticulture and it is here that the North-East can play an important role. The Union Minister expressed happiness that the National Horticulture Mission has been successfully launched in all states and expected that the National Bamboo Mission will similarly be launched.

All in all, it is a good beginning. CII has set the ball rolling. It is now turn of the State Government to capitalise on the gains.

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