DIMAPUR: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Monday urged the Governments of the North-East to "improve governance'', particularly the security aspect, to instil confidence in potential investors in the region in horticulture, floriculture, fisheries, food processing and poultry.

Accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, the Minister led a meeting of North-East governments with representatives of industry and potential investors here at a Conclave on Development of Agribusiness. He earlier laid the foundation stone of a Rs. 25-crore Central Institute of Horticulture and opened a North-East Agri-Expo organised jointly by the Government of Nagaland with the Confederation of Indian Industry sponsored by Ministries of Agriculture and North-Eastern Region.

Mr. Pawar flagged some of the recent important decisions taken by the Central Government such as setting up of a National Horticulture Mission and National Bamboo Mission with emphasis on the north-east, to display the seriousness of the government in unleashing the "tremendous potential for growth and development'' in the region. It is estimated that an investment requirement of over Rs. 11,172 crores in the next 10 years would be necessary for infrastructure development for agriculture marketing of which a major portion is expected from private sector.

"India is on track to become one of the leading food nations in the world,'' he said, adding that with its natural advantages and unique climatic conditions, the northeast was well poised to meet the emerging requirements of demand-driven agriculture sector. The proximity to China, Myanmar and Bangladesh also presented opportunities.

Mr. Pawar said the north-east had a natural environment for organic farming, which should be encouraged. He also emphasised the need for amendment to the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act to allow for contract and lease farming."The diet basket is transforming with more consumption of dairy products, fruits and vegetables and there is an increasing demand for high quality produce. Farmers are quickly responding to this demand and there is visible shift from food grains to horticulture."

The Minister implored potential investors to take advantage of the subsidy offered under the Horticulture Mission. On his part, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, assured investors that "political dialogue'' was on and that the State was "peaceful now''. "People have realized the potential of economic growth. And when Nagaland is peaceful, north-east is peaceful.''

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