PASIGHAT : The Tribal Resilience Initiative for Building Environmentally Sustainable Livelihoods (TRIBES) project, sanctioned by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for East Siang district, was formally launched at Sille on Friday.
The project was inaugurated by NABARD General Manager SV Ranga Rao in the presence of Mebo MLA Ninong Ering, College of Agriculture Pasighat Dean Prof Sanjay Swami, officials of NABARD, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), banks, Panchayati Raj institutions, government departments and farmers.
Welcoming the gathering, NABARD Assistant General Manager (District Development) Nitya Mili presented an overview of the project and said the initiative would directly benefit 200 tribal families across 10 villages under Bilat and Sille-Oyan blocks.
He said the project would focus on sustainable livelihood activities such as poultry farming, horticulture and vegetable cultivation with the objective of enhancing farmers’ income through orchard-based livelihood models and integrated farming practices.
Addressing the programme, MLA Ninong Ering described NABARD as a key development partner of the State and stressed the need for more integrated livelihood projects in convergence with government initiatives.
“Success comes through perseverance and hard work. Farmers must actively participate and make the project successful,” he said while appreciating the efforts of Dite Mopang Welfare Society for implementing the initiative.
Sille-Rani ZPM T. Tapak said farming remains essential for self-sustenance and urged farmers and beneficiaries to actively engage in the programme for achieving the desired outcomes.
College of Agriculture Pasighat Dean Prof Sanjay Swami emphasised the importance of maintaining soil health for sustainable agricultural development and requested NABARD to support a mobile soil-testing van to facilitate field-level testing for farmers.
He also assured full technical support from the institution for effective implementation of the project.
Speaking on the occasion, NABARD General Manager S.V. Ranga Rao reiterated the institution’s commitment to promoting similar livelihood interventions in the State with active support from government agencies and local communities.
“The success of the TRIBES project will depend on wholehearted participation and coordination among all stakeholders,” he said, urging farmers to work closely with NGOs and technical partners for effective implementation.
NABARD Deputy General Manager Vivek Anand elaborated on the objectives and major components of the project, which include plantation of arecanut and pineapple, promotion of moringa as border plantation for WADI development, soil conservation measures, water resource management, nutrition gardens and poultry farming.
He said the project would also cover community health training, women empowerment initiatives, farmers’ capacity-building programmes, exposure visits and other need-based training activities. Project management support would also be extended to the Project Implementing Agency (PIA) for regular monitoring and effective execution of the scheme.
