Undulating topography and varied agro-climatic conditions offer vast potential for the development of Horticulture for growing varieties of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate fruits, vegetable including off season vegetables), spices, aromatic and medicinal plants flowers and mushroom. The fruits being perennial in nature help in checking soil erosion and provide high density green cover to the soil. These tree can also be planted in retrieve soil which provide potential alternative for control of shifting cultivation.

Horticulture is the backbone and future of rural economy. An area of about  2.61 Lakh hectares is estimated to be under shifting cultivation with an annual cycle of about 1.32 lakhs hectares annually (1995-96). The practice has various adverse effect on ecology and poses silting problems in the plains as millions of tonnes of soil is eroded and washed down through rain water depleting the nutrient status of soils of the hills every year. To check the erosion it is essential to cover such area by perennial and other suitable crops of economic importance so that rural people may get employment and generate income through such ventures.

The people are essentially cultivators, and their main occupation is Agriculture/ Horticulture Farming. The present status of land utilization in the state is estimated as follows:

               Sl. No.

Particulars of uses

Approximate %age of geographical area

              1

Cultivable Land under Agri / Horticuture

3.40(Agriculture)
5.20(Horticulture)

              2

Land under forest

56.50

              3

Land under other uses including inhabitation and Administrative centres.

2.00

              4

Barren and un cultivable waste land

10.00

              5

River stream, water courses and impunded water area including lakes, bheels and mashes

10.00

              6

Snow clad pastoral alpine lands

12.00

                                        Total

100.00

Arunachal Pradesh is generally a hilly region. The elevation of the hills ranges from 60 meters to over 7300 meters (GORICHEN peak in West Kameng). The territory falls in the outer Himalayas and Patkoi Ranges. It is endowed with wide topographical variations, vegetations and wild life along the greater part of the length of the territory the characteristics Siwalik type formation of Himalayan mountains is native. The definition of Siwalik ranges loses its typical character at the point of the valley head and is replaced by series of low hills with easier slopes. These hills gradually merge into the Patkoi hill ranges which separate India & Burma. The general tendency of the hills is found sloping towards the plains of Assam. These hill ridges of Arunachal Pradesh are situated in a very haphazard manner. As soon as one ridge ends, the other starts either in opposite direction or parallel. At these intervals the wide and narrow valleys come into existence. Because of these hill ridges and the valleys, the surface of Arunachal Pradesh is found variegated almost everywhere which also results into numerous geographical isolation of places caused by various rivers and streams traversing the region and depositing the flowing detritus enroute in valley and again at the foothills.

Based on the undulating nature of the mountains, the slopes of various gradients may be classified as follows:

               Sl. No

Percentage of Slope

Types of Slopes

              1

0 -1

Level to near Level

              2

1 - 3

Very gently sloping

              3

3 - 8

Gently sloping

              4

8 -15

Moderately steep sloping

              5

15 -30

Steep sloping

              6

30 - 50

Steeply sloping

              7

More than 50

Very steeply sloping

              Sl. No

Area Percentage

Types of Slopes

              1

0.7

Level to near Level

              2

5

Very gently sloping

              3

1

Very gently to gently sloping

              4

1.4

Gently to moderately steep sloping

              5

7.9

Moderately steep sloping

              6

6.8

Moderately to step sloping

              7

13.4

Steep sloping

              8

14.3

Steep to steeply sloping

              9

10.1

Steeply sloping

             10

9.6

Steeply to very steeply sloping

             11

19.9

Very steeply sloping

Soil

In vast varied terrain with numerous rivers it is difficult to provide any generalization about the type of soils. However, considering the sand stone rocks the granite and geneiss formation interspersed with calcareous limestone and slate and other minerals tempered largely by swift flowing hilly rivers the broad group could possibly be (i) Soils of the hills, (2) Soils in the valleys and mid hills and (3) soils in the foot –hills. The soils in the valleys are rich in organic content and clayey-alluminus. It  need not  be mentioned that   soils in Arunachal Pradesh is high  acidity which may be ascribed to the high rainfall and heavy run of soils. As regards the colour, the soils look red, black and white (Pure sand). It  may be mentioned that red soils is considered to be fit for growing root  crops like radish, carrot, turnip, potato,  beet root, tapioco, yams, etc. in addition to crops like millets and maize. At the same time black soils with clay is recognized suitable for paddy and loamy soils are suited for wheat , barley,potato cultivation. Due to heterogenerity of basic rock and sedimentary formation of soils there is great variation in the nature and composition of soils found own at close intervals.

Climate

The seasons and rainfall in India are so important that the whole year is divided into four seasons (1) Winter (2) Spring (3) Summer and (4) Rainy. India is Agricultural country which depends on rainfall. People here are so convergent with consultations of the behaviour of rainfall that an outsider may get superised at the villages predictions and analysis without any aid of scientific instruments or laboratory. The rainfall and its behaviour are commonly talked of in the villages.

In Arunachal Pradesh rainfall provides wide ranging blessing of monsoon. The average annual rainfall of Arunachal Pradesh varies ranging from 164 mm to 5600 mm.

Approach to Horticulture Development

To harness nature’s benevolent agro-climatic factors prevailing in this territory, the approach adopt ed for Horticulture Development programme for economic welfare of the people is t o locate fruit crops in different zones based on their exact microclimatic requirement.

Technicalities and procedures involved in the process of identification of (a) temperate, (b) sub-temperate, (c) sub-tropical fruits zones, and the kind of fruit gardens to be established, and management practices to be followed in various locations were sorted out by the personnel of Agriculture Department. Growers interested in taking up gardening as a source of subsistence were guided accordingly. Gainful exploitation of nature agro-climatic factors in territory is being done in accordance with the following lines prevailing in respective zones to the best advantage of the growers.

               Sl. No.

Horticulture        Zone

Suggestive crops suitable for cultivation

Potential area in Hectare

                   1

Foothills and Valleys ( 170-915 Mtr. Altitudes)

Citrus, Guava, Banana, Mango. Litchi, Pine apple, Sapota, Jackfruit, Papaya, Plum, Pear, etc. seasonal vegetables.

1,45,000

                   2

Mid Hills (915-1803 Mtr).

Apples, Plum, Apricot, Pear, Almond, Low Chilling apple, Pomegranate, Olive, Grapes, etc. seasonal vegetables for seed, and truck gardening.

1,40,000

                   3

High Hills (above 1830 Mtr.)

Apples, Cherry, Walnut, Chestnu, Peanut, Pomegranate, etc. off season vegetables and production of temperate vegetable seeds.

1,15,000

                   4

Rain shawow area below 40” annual  rainfall (with wide range of chilling requirement and temperature).

Apple, Pear, Plum, Preach, Apricot, Almond, Walnut, Pomegranate, etc. off season vegetables.

31,300

The total area of fruits during 2000-2001 has been estimated as 44128 hectare with a total production of 93084 Metric Tones and 9260 hectare under spices with 30,017 Metric Tones production. However the productivity status of various crops is still low as compared to all India level.

Objectives    :    Short-Term

               1

To provide better nutrition to people through fruits, vegetables for their own consumption and sale for cash income.

               2

To support inducted population through perishable commodities for administrative centres, model village institutions, defence and para military installations.

               3

To provide additional income to small and marginal farmers through vegetables and quick growing fruits like Banana, Papaya, Guava, Lime etc.

               4

To create awareness among tribal people about Horticulture Develpopment potential through motivation and demonstration.

               5

To organize youth and growers for coordinated Horticulture Development  effort and disposal of small produce.

               6

To select existing indigenous material for seedling root stock, use and trails.

               7

To supplement food and income in inaccessible remote villages by suitable selection of crops and varieties.

               8

To find suitable seeds and planting materials from system states for introduction, screening and multi-location trials for research and development work.

               9

To increase nursery support and provide wider base for planting materials.

Objectives    :    Long-Term

               1

To replace abandoned Jhums by suitable fruit trees & plantation cover.

               2

To provide increasing rate of tree cover and improve ecology and environment.

               3

To provide better water retention capacity and perennial water sources in tree plantation areas.

               4

To improve income rate and economy of individuals and communities based on development of fruit, vegetable, spices, plantation crops and further economic crops.

               5

To organize systematic development of medicinal flora and economic shrubs and grasses.

               6

To sustain Agri-Horti based processing industries through project approach.

               7

To develop bankable project for regular flow of inputs for income generations.

               8

To minimize use of avoidable timer for packaging and non-productive use.

               9

To eliminate destruction of biomass under the wasteful practice of slash burn (Jhum).

              10

To catalogue and make systematic use of Horticulture economic plants and other flora.

              11

To organize germplasm collection for screening, selection, introduction and breeding of economic crop varieties/ cultivars.

              12

To develop small scale processes and technology, to map up small surpluses of Horticulture produce in remote, less communicated area under low volume high cost consideration.

              13

To consolidate the earlier gains and to build up Horticulture economy through strong nursery support.

              14

To strengthen skilled grass root workers and technicians and scientific manpower, for concerted Horticulture Development agencies.

              15

To strengthen post harvest technology and promote research and development efforts, through collaborative agencies.

              16

To organize Agri-Horti producers marketing corporation to handle procurement, marketing and allied problems of the growers and

              17

To strengthen pest and disease management support in line with Government of India policy to keep North East as disease free zone.

              18

To explore possibilities and develop projects for import substitution and export development production.

Strategies to be adopted for the promotion and development of horticulture

               1

ensure quality planting material of Horticulture crops.

               2

Reduction in losses through the development of suitable infrastructure and creation of awareness.

               3

Establishment of market system having forward and backward lingage.

               4

Establishment of a system to service all kinds of Horticullture requirements.

               5

Development of quality plants and seeds.

               6

Development of quality testing laboratory.

               7

Skillful and efficient transfer of technology.

               8

Integrated development of Horticulture in a mission mode is called for.

               9

Application of information technology in Horticulture.

              10

Adoption of technology have to be used more effectively to achieve the goal of improved productivity and enhanced competitiveness.

              11

Ensure credit support and risk management.

State Schemes

               1

Control of shifting cultivation.

               2

Maintenance of Farm of Nurseries.

               3

Kitchen gardening and Floriculture.

               4

Horticulture Training & Education.

               5

Horticulture Fair & Exhibition.

               6

Mushroom Development Programme.

               7

Horticulture Information.

               8

Fruit Preservation.

               9

Kiwi Cultivation.

               10

Incentive to Farmers are some of the programmes that are being implemented for the development of Horticulture in state.

For the year 2001 –2002 a sum of Rs. 650 Lakhs has been provided for successful implementation of above schemes.

Centrally Sponsored Schemes

               1

Integrated Programme for development of Spices.

               2

Commercial Floriculture

               3

Mushroom cultivation

               4

Integrated Development of Fruits

               5

Development of Horticulture through Plasticulture Intervention

               6

Coconut Development Programme etc.

Post harvest managemant in the state and credit fecilities through NHB

The need for simultaneous management for post harvest technology is of prime importance with development of horticulture through expansion of area under various fruits. The communication is being the major bottle beck for most of the district headquarters during rainy season and the markets located through the plains of Assam for further flow to other parts of the region.

Objectives

-

Develop high quality horticulture farms in identified belts and make such areas vibrant with horticultural activity which in turn will act as hubs for developing commercial horticulture.

-

Develop post harvest management infrastructure.

-

Strengthen Market information system and horticulture database.

-

Assist R & D programs to develop products suited for specific varieties with improved methods and horticulture technology.

-

Promote consumption of fruits / vegetable in fresh and processed form.

Pattern of assistance

Developing infrastructure for post harvest handling and marketing of horticulture commodities, particularly perishables, using improved technologies with the primary objective of reducing losses and improving quality of the products.

-

Market information service for horticulture crops will be strengthened. Collection and dissemination of market intelligence relating to horticulture crops shall have added emphasis.

-

The financial assistance to professional organizations for the development of horticulture.

-

Promotional activities for the development of horticulture.

-

Facilitate in establishment of Horticulture Development Board / Co-operation in states for promoting post – harvest management and marketing having support  of quality management.

-

Integrated project on management of post-harvest infrastructure of horticulture crops and development of marketing.

-

Horticulture promotion services.

-

Technology development refinement and transfer.

-

On farm handling of horticulture produce.

Technology mission for the integrated development of horticulture in Arunachal Pradesh

Owing to diverse agro-climatic condition horticulture has been   identified as main activity for development in the state. Mission mode programme having and to go and approach is vital for achieving desired goal. Accordingly Technology Mission for Integrated Development  of Horticulture was mooted.

The Goals of the Mission are :

               1

To establish convergence and synergy among numerous ongoing governmental programme in the field of horticulture development to achieve horizontal and vertical integration of these programmes.

               2

To ensure proper linkage of adequate, appropriate, timely and concurrent attention in the production, post harvest and consumption chain.

               3

To Maximize economic, ecological and social benefits from the existing investment and infrastructure created for horticulture development.

               4

To promote ecologically sustainable intensification, economically desirable diversification and skilled employment.

               5

To generate value addition, promote the development and dissemination of eco-technologies based on the blending of the traditional wisdom and technology with frontier knowledge such as bio-technology, information technology and space technology.

               6

To provide the missing links in ongoing horticulture developments projects.

Constraints :

               1

Very small and scanty nursery base of seeds, seedlings and planting materials.

               2

Helpless position of being at  the mercy of  State for procurement of basic plantation materials.

               3

Absence of enactment for regulation of Nursery act, seeds and buds certification.

               4

Absence, of adequate research and development support from Universities and Expert Agencies, being remote inaccessible and difficult terrain.

               5

Lack of recognition to field workers, supervisory staff, scientists living under extra condition of deprivation isolation and logistic problems, limiting the development process.

               6

Lack of organized agencies for procurement procession, gardening and marketing of t he small surpluses generated by tribal cultivators living in too far  apart scattered habitations.

               7

Lack of technical and financial support for continued investments over long years in long gestation Horticultural  enterprises.

               8

Lack of credit support and availability of inputs.

               9

Vulnerability of crops and plants to pests and disease hither to unknown in the area.

               10

Lack of pack of practices for steady development and growth of Horticulture as industry.

               11

Absence of Watershed approach and integrated programmes for developing total program for Horticulture in particulars and trees crops in general in the entire North East Region.