Pumpkin is replacing opium cultivation in Arunachal villages

Pumpkin is replacing Opium

Tezhu (Arunachal Pradesh): In a village in Lohit district, pumpkin cultivation has replaced the illegal cultivation of poppy seeds, giving farmers both peace of mind and money thanks to the continued efforts of the Arunachal Pradesh government.

Medo village, more than 300 km from the state capital and 27 km from the district headquarters town of Tezu, once held the dubious distinction of being the opium hub of Lohit district.
In the past few years, the government’s war on opium and the schemes launched by it have led its farmers to grow cash crops such as ginger, mustard and tea, a popular vegetable, in addition to pumpkin. .

The visitor is now greeted by lush canopies of pumpkin plants instead of poppies, which were seen a few years ago.

The state government’s zero-tolerance approach on opium has served as an antidote as a majority of farmers have shifted to vegetable cultivation,” said Tamo Riba, additional assistant commissioner of Wakro circle, under which the village falls.
Riba said on Friday, however, that the threat has not been completely eliminated as a few farmers in the district are reportedly continuing to cultivate poppy.

The marked change is a result of the Atma Niirbhar Krishi Yojana launched by the state government in 2021.

He said that social organizations are helping the administration in its fight against opium.

From April to October, the village, which consists of small hamlets like Maniyuliang, Tisho and others, hums with the sound of trucks laden with pumpkins, as traders from neighboring Assam come to the meadow to buy the best varieties of the vegetable.
Pumpkins are now a staple crop in the Meadows. About 500 farmers in Vikaru region cultivating more than 1,000 hectares grow an average of over 5,000 metric tonnes of pumpkin annually in the area, said Agriculture Development Officer Vijay Namchoom.

Local traders and shopkeepers in the meadow market purchase vegetable produce from farmers at prices that are influenced and determined by external market factors. He said that if the prices in the end point market are good, farmers earn well.

The pumpkin is then transported to Tinsukia in Assam from where it is transported to Guwahati, Karimganj and beyond.
The government had launched Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana and Atma Nirbhar Bhagwani Yojana in September last year and allocated Rs 60 crore each.

Under the schemes, 45 percent of the money received by the farmers will be government subsidy, 45 percent will be loan from banks and the remaining 10 percent will be borne by the farmers. Banks involved include SBI, Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank and Arunachal Pradesh Cooperative Apex Bank.

A farmer in the area, Sobut Ngadong, said farmers in the area are not very interested in growing poppy because of the dangers.

Nowadays people are more interested in vegetable cultivation for dignified living. They don’t want to invite trouble by cultivating opium.
Ngdong said that this year’s pumpkin production was affected by heavy rains but he has earned Rs 2.5 lakh this year by selling his produce.

Sofrai Tosak, who grows vegetables on 10 hectares in Medu, explained the demand and production scenario.

Last year production was good but income was low as buyers paid only Rs 3 per kg.

He said that the income was good this year as the yield was Rs 7 per kg.
Bajongsu Manneo lamented that due to heavy rains this year, he could only produce four tonnes of vegetables in his ten-acre plot compared to 10-15 tonnes during other years.

Despite lower production, he earned Rs 32,000 against Rs 40,000 last year when the vegetable market was down.

He appreciated the district agriculture department for providing seeds, medicines, spraying machines and technical guidance.

Deputy Chief Minister Chunaman said opium cultivation in the state cannot be eradicated unless a “strict” policy is adopted.
We are emphasizing alternative crops, but this model will not stop opium cultivation.

He said that there is a need for a strict contract farming policy with buyback provision so that farmers can easily sell their produce without depending on potential buyers.

We don’t mind if companies like Patanjali come to the state and sign MoUs with the government and farmers to buy their produce so that both the company and the local farmers can earn. The Deputy Chief Minister said that it will be a win-win situation.