ITANAGAR, Jan 24: Arunachal Pradesh is currently witnessing that subsistence farming is fast making a transition from shifting (jhum) cultivation to settled agriculture, and emerging as a gateway for not only Northeast but for Asia-Pacific, according to the study brought out by MSME Export Promotion Council and the Confederation of Organic Food Products & Marketing Agencies (COII).
Releasing the study on “Arunachal Pradesh Investment, Growth & Development with immense opportunities with Asian Countries (2018-19 to 2022-23)” on Wednesday, Chairman of the MSME EPC Dr D S Rawat said that slowly, the farmers are tapping the untapped opportunities in commercial agriculture and floriculture and if this trend continues, this will help farming community to enhance their income, and provide sustainable livelihood.
The study said Arunachal has huge potential for agro, forest and mineral based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
As per data available with the MSME Ministry, the estimated numbers of MSMEs in the state are only 23,000, employing 41,000 people.
The study revealed that the MSMEs have significantly contributed to the economic development of Papum Pare district which occupies the second position, next to agriculture, in terms of employment generation.