Indo Japan Collaboration for developing Agri Forestry and Allied sectors in North east India in COVID 19 Era

COVID 19 has led to a huge disruption in economic activity. In the Indian North Eastern states, developing agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture and forestry sectors can be seen as the first rungs of the ladder to economic revival and livelihood generation and ensuring food security. The North Eastern states of India put together have many natural assets conducive to developing a vibrant agro forestry sector with sustainable eco-friendly practices. The region also shares borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan. Collectively, the region boasts rich bio diversity, varying climatic patterns and is home to a very wide variety of agri-horti-aqua-forestry produce. In recent discussions with BBIN country partners, the Asian Confluence has seen interest in the neighboring BBIN countries bordering the region along similar lines. The same holds true for Indo-Myanmar trade. Given the intra and inter state physical connectivity projects underway, along with a push on transnational connectivity, regional value chain creation in these sectors can be a boost to economic recovery. The challenges posed by COVID-19 have only hastened the need to develop these sectors. Several of the state governments have already publicly expressed their keen desire to develop the agri-horti-aqua-forestry sectors. The Government of Meghalaya, for example, has set up a special task force to look into these aspects. Taking a holistic approach and to ensure sustainability, other sectors such as health and water would also need to be included. Indo Japan collaboration in developing the North eastern region of India and fostering regional cooperation with neighbors has been a major plank of India’ Act East Policy. JICA has been very active in this region , including in the agri-forestry sector. The Asian Confluence, as a premier think-tank institution , has actively promoted exchange between India and Japan at an intellectual and cultural level. The institution has also been active on issues of regional value chain creation in the agri-horti-aqua and forestry sectors.