The document proposes solutions to develop the economy of India's North Eastern Region through sustainable and inclusive growth. It suggests adopting a public-private partnership model to focus on green revolution in agriculture and improving transport infrastructure. Specific solutions proposed include organizing farmer training programs, setting up agro-processing industries, developing hydroelectric power projects, and expanding road, rail and water transport networks to boost intra-regional and external trade. The plan aims to make the region self-reliant by optimizing use of resources, increasing agricultural productivity and industrialization, and generating more employment opportunities. Challenges to implementation such as lack of funding, political instability and corruption are also discussed along with measures to address them.

1. Manthan Topic: THE SUNRISE STATES
Realizing the growth potential of the North-East Region
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Transforming NER into a Successful Model Region
PPP model solution focusing on Green revolution & transport to
provide sustainable & inclusive socio-economic growth
Team Members(SIMSREE)
Vishal Shinde
Harsh Mirpuri
Prasad Jadhav
Sunil Badgujar
Sandesh Chavan

2. Problem Statement
Vision
• We want the north eastern region economy to be self-reliant through inclusive
sustainable growth by way of large scale domestic production and consumption of
agricultural produce along with an increase in critical infrastructure for transport &
trade
Issue
• The NER faces severe under-utilization of its natural resources and talent pool which
keeps the majority of the people below poverty line
• Despite huge potential for development, a lack of planning & development of its
natural resources & transport keeps the economy backward
• Lack of development curtails future hope & fuels insurgency
Method
• We should use the PPP model & introduce green revolution by way of training in
latest innovations in agriculture & promotion of SHG (self-help groups) & developing
agro processing industries
• We should focus on connectivity enhancement & development for increasing trade
within & outside the region
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3. Scope & Cause Of Problems
% Share
2008-09
Rice Wheat Cereals Pulses Food
grains
Oilseeds
NE Region 5.9 0.1 0.8 1 2.7 0.9
All-India 100 100 100 100 100 100
Agriculture- 70% of the population depend on agriculture yet lack of modern technologies & traditional farming causes NER
to remain a net importer of produce thus 8% of India’s geographical area produces only 1.5% of its grains
Power- Lack of effective planning responsible for under utilization of Hydro-electric power potential(less than a quarter of
potential 50,000 MW power being utilized)
Transport- Creation of Roads and Rail networks in hilly region is difficult & expensive, waterways though cheap are not
developed, modern boats & ships for ferrying people & goods absent(3,500Km water-ways not developed)
Unemployment- Lack of industries & market based skill-training
Reliance on joint families cause of refusal to work in different locations
Tourism- Huge potential yet lack of promotion & modern amenities constrains tourism
Trade- Few industries means that productivity remains low & connectivity issues restrain trade
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4. 4
Proposed Solutions
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Agriculture - Promoting green revolution by organizing workshops for training farmers at the rural level
using modern methods and equipments; Setting up trade centers for procuring agricultural products for
further processing or exports
Power - To address the power shortage problem in the region, hydro-electric power plants can be set up at
existing dams along Brahmaputra river and thermal power plants near the coal producing areas in different
states; Surplus power can be sent to the National Grid
Transport - Building new road and railway networks to facilitate easy movement of people and goods within
the eight states; Connecting north-east region to major Indian cities by air; Using Brahmaputra river for
water transport for inter-state trade and transport
Unemployment - Setting up Special Economic Zones and inviting industries would bring in large scale
employment for local people; Organizing skill development programs to make people industry ready;
Encouraging small scale industries by providing low interest loans
Tourism – Promoting existing tourist points, national parks and sanctuaries; Creating new entertainment
hubs to attract tourists
Trade - Making the north-east region self-sufficient by increasing inter-state trade; Emphasizing on
boosting exports to countries such as Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Myanmar; Promoting the idea of one
product villages

5. 55
Innovative Solution Concept
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North East Council authority co-
ordinates with the North-Eastern
states on various development
projects through PPP model
Increasing agricultural
productivity and making the
region self-sufficient in terms of
standard of living of people
Focusing on improvement of
various infrastructure facilities
Merits
PPP model will help in fast & determined
implementation of various projects in the
region, bringing in overall development
The flourishing agricultural sector
would boost agro-processing
Small scale and export industries
would bring about improvements
in the infrastructure of the state
as well
Implementation
Organizing workshops for educating farmers on modern agricultural methods, technology and equipments
Providing Government subsidies/loans for buying seeds, fertilizers, etc.
Setting up ports and travel points to improve water transport in the region
Aggressive Tourism promotions on television, print and online mediums
Increasing Co-ordination between states through the Regional Authority

6. Organizational Structure/Process(Agriculture)
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Farmers produce sent back to CC & sent as input to agro-processing industries
Self help groups(SHG) of farmers formed which will together pool resources & be allocated loans through micro-credit
Trainer educates & trains farmers on innovative farming techniques(seeds, fertilizers, equipment)
Group of Farmers(20 approx.) allocated Trained Personnel
Training center forms Trainers(Localites)
Setting up toll free Farmer call center For providing information & promotion of agriculture through Radio & television on large scale
Set-up of training cum collection centers(CC) at taluka/district level & agro processing industries & cold-storage/warehouses at city level
NABARD & NGO’s & private players (PPP model) collaboration under NEC
North Eastern Council as central development Co-ordinator of NER

7. Total short & long term funding
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Immediate
Agriculture No. of persons Cost (lpa)
CAO(Chief agricultural officer) 1 30
State level Officer 8 10
City level Officer 41 6
District level Officer 77 4
Training centre personnel 1540 2.5
NABARD Loan costs Negligible -
Agro-processing Industry set-up(PPP model) 41 2.5crore(Fixed)
Kisan call centre(Local Language) 1 crore
Promotion of Training & SHG(micro-credit) 3 crore
Total- 147.68cr
Future Length(Km) Cost
Water Transport 3839@4cr/Km 15,356cr

8. Impact of the solution
 Green revolution
• Increase in agricultural production and
productivity
• Increase in employment opportunities in
agriculture
• Optimal land use
• Improved economic situation of farmers
• Increase in industrialization of economy
• Employment creation in tertiary sector
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 Inland Water Transport (IWT)
• Better connectivity within NER, with the rest of
India & neighboring countries
• Cheap mode of transportation
• Reduction in travel time
 Criteria for measurement of
impact
• Analysis of Employment &
Economic data
• Analysis of Agricultural
productivity
• Analysis of Transportation time
& cost

9. Challenges to solution
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Social
•Lack of promotion
•Farmers don’t show interest
•Training provided is sub-standard
•Failure of SHG & micro-credit
•Lack of efficient warehouse & cold storage leads to rotting of produce
Economical
•Lack of power keeps industries away & makes modern agriculture a distant dream
•Lack of funds dismantles the entire training module
•Agro-processing industries don’t get right produce on time which will make it a failure
Political
•Ethnic clashes leading to political instability
•Growth of insurgent activities
•Rampant corruption
•Indifferent attitude of the government both at state and central level

10. Means to mitigate challenges
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Use of national TV channels and other media channels to bring awareness about plans,
implementations, benefits in NER
Kisan call centers, Promotion on Radio & television & panchayat level about the training programme
Aggressive promotion of tourism of NER in media and hence overcome geographical isolation
Fast track development with time bound implementation of Hydro power & road/rail projects
Economic liberation policies for Tourism Industry
Development of “border haats” along with upgrading the LCSs into ICPs, would provide tremendous
boost to border trade
Development & encouragement to local industries SME & dedicated SEZ

11. NER Model Region- Points to remember
Agriculture being the main source of sustenance; any increase in agricultural
productivity will directly benefit 70% of the population & give them
prosperity by effective trade within the region, country & other countries
Connectivity issues once resolved through formation of roads, rail &
importantly water transport development will increase trade & set-up of
industries
Utilization of Hydro-electric potential will make NER self-sufficient in power
All this together will in drastically improve employment & prosperity
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12. References
• ICC-PWC Report North east summit 2013
• http://www.gujagro.org/pdf/guidelines.pdf
• http://www.mdoner.gov.in/
• http://www.kkhsou.in/main/management/north_east.
html
• http://www.fao.org/docrep/w5800e/w5800e12.htm
• https://www.nabard.org/english/home.aspx
• http://www.sahardabidar.org/SharadaRudseti.htm
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