Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER): A Reality Check with Special Reference to Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

In 2016, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh initiated “State Organic Mission'' with a vision to promote adoption of organic farming among farmers under the umbrella of “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North-East Region (MOVD-NER)”, a centrally funded scheme formulated exclusively for the North-East Region of India. As of 2024, forty-six (46) organic farmer producer companies (FPCs) have been formed in three phases since 2016 (Phase I- 2016 to 2018, Phase II- 2019 to 2021 and Phase III- 2022 to 2024) under which 5925 farmers are registered, and a total land area measuring 20,500 hectares have been brought under organic farming. The ultimate goal is to convert the state into an “Organic State'' like Sikkim. This study was conducted on registered organic farmer producer companies (FPCs) formed during Phase-I under “State Organic Mission” in five districts of Arunachal Pradesh namely, Papum Pare, Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai, Changlang, and Anjaw. The study aimed to investigate the present ground reality of the FPCs. The study is entirely qualitative in nature, and is based on both primary data and secondary data. The findings may benefit policy-makers and various other stakeholders for ensuring long-term sustainability and meeting the ultimate goal of the State Organic Mission.