After Army, ITBP personnel posted along China border to get fruits, vegetables grown by farmers in Arunachal Pradesh

Guwahati: After the Army, personnel of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) posted along the border with China in Arunachal Pradesh will get fresh fruits, vegetables and meat produced by farmers in the frontier state.

An MoU was signed in this regard between the Northeast Frontier of the ITBP and Arunachal Pradesh Agricultural Marketing Board (APAMB) under Mission Arun Himveer project on Friday.

"Under the initiative, the state government through APAMB will supply fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry products to the ITBP procured from local farmers, self help groups, farmers producers' organisations and farmer cooperatives," Arunachal Pradesh government said in a statement.

This follows the first such initiative between the state government and the Indian Army in August 2022. It said around 400 tons of fruits and vegetables worth Rs 72 lakhs were lifted so far from indigenous farmers for supply to the Indian Army.

The mission has multiple objectives from providing safe and fresh food items to the defence personnel posted in difficult terrain to exploring markets for the local farmers in Arunachal Pradesh. "This will not only double farmers' income but also create a friendly relationship between people in the border region and ITBP forces. It will also have a far reaching impact on accelerating reverse migration of people, who have left their villages along the borders to towns and cities," Arunachal Pradesh CM, Pema Khandu, who attended the event, said.

“We have enough land and weather, suited for all kinds of horticulture and agriculture products. However, people were not taking interest in farming due to lack of markets. Such initiatives will surely encourage people to take up farming,” Khandu said.

This is expected to help more than one lakh women engaged in SHGs across the state.

As per the agreement, ITBP can procure directly from farmers and payment would be made by APAMB out of the revolving fund of Rs. four crores granted by the state government on behalf of the ITBP. The amount will be then reimbursed to the board after reconciliation by ITBP, said the statement. The project is expected to garner business of more than Rs. 10 crores every year.

To mark the MoU signing event, agricultural produce was handed over to the ITBP by farmers at Jang in Tawang, Ziro in Lower Subansiri, Aalo in West Siang, Tuting in Upper Siang and Tezu in Lohit district.