Itanagar, Mar 5 (Reporter) In a significant move to accelerate the growth of agriculture, horticulture, and tourism sectors in the state, the Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Wednesday approved three major policies— ‘Arunachal Pradesh Horticulture Policy 2025-35’, ‘New Agriculture Policy - Arunachal Pradesh 2025-35’, and ‘Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Policy 2025-30’. Announcing the development in a press conference at the Civil Secretariat after the Cabinet meeting, Education Minister and Government Spokesperson Pasang Dorjee Sona stated that these policies will introduce modern interventions, strategic roadmaps, and budgetary support to drive sectoral growth while addressing key challenges. The Arunachal Pradesh Horticulture Policy 2025-35 aims to enhance productivity, promote climate-resilient practices, and improve infrastructure. It includes key initiatives such as Arunachal Kiwi Mission to boost kiwi production, Arunachal Spice Mission for expanding high-value spice cultivation, including large cardamom, black pepper, Sichuan pepper, star anise, turmeric, and ginger, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (MAP) Mission to promote large-scale medicinal plant cultivation for AYUSH-based industries while ensuring biodiversity conservation. The policy also focuses on empowering women and youth, promoting sustainable horticulture, and reducing excessive chemical use in farming. The Agriculture Policy 2025-35 introduces updated strategies to enhance productivity, promote mechanized farming, and ensure sustainability. It aims to expand agricultural land through land terracing and convert jhum cultivation into permanent farming. “Efforts will be made to improve irrigation, water harvesting, and conservation. Farmers will receive certified seeds, adopt multi-cropping techniques, and integrate modern farming methods. Due to the use of technology, farming will help reduce labour-intensive agricultural practices, and entrepreneurship in contract farming and agri-startups will be promoted among the youth,” Sona explained. “The policy also focuses on infrastructure development, including storage facilities and collection centers and integrates research and development initiatives. The Government is also looking at the adoption of the latest technologies such as AI and drone usage in agriculture," Sona added. The Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Policy 2025-30 aims to position the hilly state as a premier tourism destination through infrastructure development, niche tourism, and sustainable tourism practices. Key initiatives include: Development of road networks, eco-friendly accommodations, and digital tourism platforms; promotion of adventure tourism, spiritual circuits, farm tourism, and wine tourism; encouraging local community participation in tourism activities such as homestays, handicrafts, and rural tourism ventures; expansion of adventure and eco-tourism activities like trekking, rafting, paragliding, and wildlife tourism. To promote wine tourism, the government will focus on developing fruit-based wines using kiwi, persimmon, and guava. The implementation of these policies is expected to generate significant employment opportunities across multiple sectors, Sona said, adding that direct employment will be created in hotels, homestays, resorts, transport, and adventure tourism, while indirect employment will benefit agriculture, handicrafts, food processing, and event management industries. “The Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Policy 2025-30 aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by fostering self-reliance through local skill development and entrepreneurship. “Training programs for tourism guides and hospitality professionals will be introduced, and indigenous tourism start-ups and handicraft industries will receive government support,” Sona further added...////...