High-level task force sets roadmap to boost agri-horti value chains in Northeast

A High-Level Task Force (HLTF) was formally convened following the decision taken during the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC). The task force aims to identify and address key gaps in value chains and market linkages that continue to hinder the growth potential of the region’s agri-horti sector.

The first meeting of the HLTF was held on April 7, 2025, at Samman Bhawan in Gangtok through video conferencing. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), who is also the convenor of the task force, chaired the session. The task force comprises the Union Minister for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, and the Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura.

Chief Minister Tamang opened the discussion by underlining the immense untapped potential of the region in agriculture and horticulture. He cited several persistent challenges that require urgent policy attention—such as poor infrastructure, lack of food processing units, fragmented land holdings, the practice of shifting cultivation, weak market connections, and limited access to modern technology and agricultural know-how.

Tamang further stressed that the absence of a unified agricultural policy, inadequate export infrastructure, and the growing impact of climate change continue to hamper the region's productivity. He made a strong pitch for a dedicated policy framework for the North Eastern States and urged that all eight states of the region be included in the next meeting to ensure broader representation and effective planning.

During the session, the Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura shared ground-level insights and critical challenges specific to their states. Their inputs painted a clearer picture of the issues faced in boosting productivity and market connectivity.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia advised the task force to identify core focus areas, set both short-term and long-term goals, and work towards developing a practical "proof of concept" model. He emphasized the need to collect inputs from all North Eastern States to build a comprehensive and inclusive action plan.

The HLTF plans to reconvene for its next meeting by the end of April 2025. The upcoming session is expected to chart a strategic roadmap and finalize key recommendations that will pave the way for transforming agriculture and horticulture in the region.