Arunachal Pradesh: Remote Village In Lohit District Shuns Poppy; Takes Up Pumpkin Cultivation

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Posted in Arunachal Pradesh, Featured, Northeast
NET Web Desk

Pumpkin cultivation has replaced the illicit growing of poppy seeds in Medo village in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, providing the cultivators financial security and mental tranquility.

Located over 300 km from Itanagar and 27 km from Tezu, the Medo Village once had the dubious reputation of being the district’s key source of opium.

The campaign initiated by the state government against opium encouraged the farmers to cultivate other lucrative crops, including ginger, mustard, and tea.

The Extra Assistant Commissioner of Wakro circle – Tamo Riba, “The zero-tolerance policy of the state government on opium has worked as an antidote as the majority of the farmers switched to vegetable cultivation.”

‘The Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana’ introduced in 2021, is responsible for the apparent change.

“Social organizations are aiding the administration in its fight against opium,” he said.

The village, comprising small hamlets like Maniyuliang, Tissue, and others, is abuzz with the sounds of pumpkin-laden trucks as traders from neighboring Assam throng to Medo to purchase the best varieties of vegetables.

Approximately 500 plus farmers of Wakro region cultivating more than 1000 hectares grow an average of 5000 plus metric tons of pumpkin annually in this area. The pumpkins are then taken to Tinsukia in Assam, from where it’s taken to Guwahati, Karimganj, and beyond.

The government launched the Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojna and Atma Nirbhar Bagwani Yojna in September 2021 and allocated Rs 60 crore to each cultivator.

The Arunachal Deputy Chief Minister – Chowna Mein said that a “drastic” policy needs to be adopted to eliminate opium cultivation.

“We are emphasizing alternate crops, but this model will not stop opium cultivation. There is a need to adopt a drastic policy of contract farming with buy-back provision, so that the farmers can sell their produces easily without depending on potential buyers,” he said.

“We have no objection if companies like Patanjali come to the state and sign MoUs with the government and the farmers to purchase their products so that both the company and the local farmers can earn. This will be a win-win situation,” the deputy chief minister said.

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