Itanagar, February 27: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu held a high-level meeting with Coffee Board of India Chairman M. J. Dinesh, CEO and Secretary Kurma Rao, and other senior officials to explore opportunities for expanding coffee cultivation across the state and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
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| Pema Khandu meets Coffee Board of India Chairman M. J. Dinesh and officials to discuss expansion of coffee cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh.(Image: X@PemaKhanduBJP) |
The meeting focused on harnessing the vast potential of Arunachal Pradesh's farmers through large-scale coffee plantation initiatives. Discussions covered strategies to increase production, improve quality, and create sustainable market opportunities for coffee growers, with the broader objective of enhancing rural livelihoods and agricultural diversification.
Highlighting the state's favourable climatic conditions and vast cultivable land, Khandu emphasized that coffee cultivation could emerge as a significant source of income for farmers, particularly in remote and hilly regions. He noted that the expansion of coffee plantations aligns with the government's efforts to promote high-value crops and reduce dependence on traditional farming practices.
To support farmers and encourage wider participation in coffee cultivation, the Chief Minister proposed organizing a training-cum-interactive session in April involving the Coffee Board's technical experts. The programme is expected to provide coffee growers with practical knowledge on scientific cultivation methods, plantation management, post-harvest practices, and quality improvement techniques.
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The proposed training will also focus on strengthening market linkages, enabling farmers to access better prices and connect with buyers, processors, and exporters. Officials believe that such initiatives will help create a more robust coffee ecosystem in the state and ensure long-term sustainability of the sector.
According to officials, collaboration between the state government and the Coffee Board of India is expected to significantly boost farmer incomes while creating new economic opportunities in the agricultural sector. The initiative is also seen as a step toward positioning Arunachal Pradesh as an emerging hub for premium-quality coffee production in Northeast India.
The meeting underscored the government's commitment to empowering farmers through innovation, capacity building, and sustainable agricultural development.
