Arunachal govt signs MoU with Assam Agriculture University to boost Agri

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ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh government on Thursday signed an MoU with the Assam Agriculture University (AAU), for agricultural promotion in the state.

The MOU was signed between Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and AAU vice-chancellor Dr Bidyut C Deka.

Mein was accompanied by Agriculture Director Anong Lego, and other officers from the agriculture department.

During the meeting, discussions were held on how to implement scientific methods and, on the need for faculty to provide guidance to improve agriculture in Arunachal.

“Many indigenous crop species of high demand, especially in the overseas market, need to have geographical indicators (GI) for patenting, to ensure intellectual property rights protection to fetch a premium price in the international markets,” Mein was quoted by Arunachal Times.

Considering that agriculture contributes to more than 32 per cent to the state's GDP, the minister said that the state will extend the cultivation of a variety of indigenous crops, besides Khamti lahi rice, the Monpa maize and Adi kekir.

AAU VC Dr Deka has assured to provide assistance from the University to boost Arunachal's agricultural sector.

Earlier in 2020, AAU and the Namsai KVK had jointly experimented growing 10 varieties of Khamti lahi.

(Edited by Gabriel G Momin)