Under the project “Promoting Scientific Organic Agriculture in the North East Region,” the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an independent organization under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has started important initiatives to support organic farming in Arunachal Pradesh. Under the PM-DevINE initiative, the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is funding the project, which is spread throughout 15 clusters in the districts of East Kameng and West Kameng.
The PM-DevINE Organic Scheme is focused on organic certification, farmer training, capacity building, and the creation of cluster-level demonstration farm labs with the goal of establishing a sustainable organic farming environment in the Northeastern states. Community seed banks and a digital infrastructure driven by contemporary technology like UAVs are also part of the plan. To support well-informed, data-driven agricultural decisions, this system will compile information on farmers, yields, soil health, and other topics. Under the program, 250 certified organic clusters with 100 trainee farmers each, overseen by a master trainer, are planned, with the goal of having 25,000 trained farmers in the area.
Digital progress tracking, land certification through the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), and scientific training are important efforts. In order to track farming efforts and improve communication, 15 smartphones were given to master trainers in East and West Kameng. Additionally, training materials on natural pest management methods, composting procedures, and organic farming practices were made available. Senior NECTAR officials were present when buckwheat seeds were delivered to different clusters. To facilitate hands-on training and knowledge sharing among farmers, demonstration farm labs and training facilities are being created.
