Itanagar: The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has launched a project to promote organic agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh.
The initiative, titled “Promoting Scientific Organic Agriculture in the North East Region,” is supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) through the PM-DevINE scheme.
The project covers 15 clusters across East Kameng and West Kameng districts, aiming to create a sustainable organic farming ecosystem in the Northeastern states. The PM-DevINE Organic Scheme focuses on farmer training, capacity building, organic certification, and the establishment of demonstration farm labs at the cluster level.
A key component of the initiative is the development of community seed banks and a digital infrastructure powered by modern technologies such as UAVs. This system will consolidate data on farmers, yields, soil health, and more to facilitate informed, data-driven agricultural decisions. The project also seeks to strengthen market linkages via e-marketing platforms and dedicated outlets for organic produce.
A total of 250 certified organic clusters are planned under the scheme, with Arunachal Pradesh set to benefit 1,500 farmers directly. Key activities include scientific training, land certification under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), and digital monitoring of progress.
To support efficient coordination and field data collection, 15 smartphones were distributed to Master Trainers across East and West Kameng. Training materials covering organic farming practices, composting methods, and natural pest control techniques were also provided to support grassroots learning within the clusters.
The project demonstrates NECTAR’s commitment to empowering farmers through scientific methods, modern technology, and sustained technical support, highlighting the transformative potential of organic farming in the region.
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