Maksam Tayeng
PASIGHAT : In a significant boost to market access for farmers, a truck carrying pineapples and lemons from the 39th Mebo Assembly Constituency was flagged off for Sikkim on Tuesday, marking the first consignment under the partnership between Mebo in Arunachal Pradesh and Temi-Namphing in Sikkim.
The consignment was flagged off at Mebo by Agriculture, Horticulture and Allied Sectors Minister’s Advisor Talem Taboh in the presence of Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang, Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang, Mebo Additional Deputy Commissioner Nancy Yirang, East Siang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko, Zilla Parishad Members, government officials and farmers.
The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the 39th Mebo Assembly Constituency and the 14th Temi-Namphing Assembly Constituency during the International Agro-Tourism Festival held in South Sikkim in June this year. The agreement established the two constituencies as sister constituencies for three years to promote cooperation in tourism, agriculture, cultural exchange, environmental conservation, skill development and sustainable rural development.
Speaking at the flag-off programme, Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng said the first consignment marks the beginning of a long-term trade relationship that will create new market opportunities for farmers of Mebo. He urged farmers to seize emerging opportunities and said Mebo’s pineapples and lemons have the potential to gain recognition in wider domestic and international markets if provided with proper marketing support.
Highlighting the partnership with Supreme Sikkim, an organic food processing company, Tayeng said the initiative would help ensure a stable market for locally grown fruits while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers. He added that with slight price adjustments, farmers could sell their entire produce without worrying about unsold stock. He also appealed to neighbouring constituencies to join hands in promoting the production and marketing of local fruits and vegetables.
Addressing the gathering, Advisor Talem Taboh underscored the importance of commercial agriculture in improving rural livelihoods and praised the quality of fruits and vegetables produced in Mebo and Pasighat. He lauded Tayeng’s initiative and assured continued support for efforts aimed at expanding agricultural marketing and value addition.
Earlier, Tayeng paid tribute to late District Horticulture Officer Ayi Remi Ering, acknowledging her contributions to the horticulture sector. A one-minute silence was observed in her memory.
