Itanagar, Aug. 19: Shorn of adequate infrastructure for setting up largescale industries primarily because of topographical barriers, Arunachal Pradesh is eyeing small-scale indigenous ones to rake in the moolah.

Under an industrial policy framed in 2008, the state government has identified industries based on textiles — primarily handloom and power looms, handicraft, sericulture and food processing.

Industries based on forest produce that include non-timber forest products, bamboo, cane and medicinal plants were also identified.

The assistant director of industries department, Geto Ori, said the department was looking forward to make indigenous industry a viable means of livelihood for the unemployed youths and involve rural women.

“The state has a high potential in indigenous industrial activities as these are intrinsically linked to cultures of various ethnic groups. Our focus is to promote cane and bamboo-based handicraft and handloom industry, food processing, cottage industries like carpentry, carpet making and wood-carving as viable means of livelihood for the people of the state,” Ori said.

“Arunachal Pradesh may be lacking adequate infrastructure in largescale industries because of geographical limitations but the land-locked state abounds in forest wealth and natural resources. These resources, once tapped properly, can be money-spinners for the people. There has been a good progress in this regard. The industries department has set up more than 88 craft centres in 16 districts of the state. Job avenues were opened up for more than 10,000 people in the state this year.”

Ori said the state had several medium-scale industries based on its forest products.

Some food processing units have also come up in a few districts.

According to Ori, there is a need to set up a state-level indigenous industries commission to streamline the industrial system. He believes that growth of indigenous industries will pave the way for sustainable growth.

The department was trying to run many projects in the state, Ori said.

The department is making efforts to market indigenous vegetables like sweet potatoes, a special type of brinjals, ginger, chillies, pumpkins, cucumbers, papaya, pineapples, kiwis, oranges, lemons, lichis, bananas, peach walnuts and almonds.

Altogether 1,191 micro small-scale and medium-scale industries are registered with the department.

The carpet-making industry has flourished in Tawang, West Kameng and Lower Subansiri districts. The handloom and handicraft industry is mainly based in Tirap, Changlang, East Siang and West Siang districts.

The major constraints that hinder the growth of flourishing of indigenous industry are poor communication and a small market.

“We are grappling with a few constraints like remoteness, lack of proper communication network and a small market. There is an urgent need to sort out the problems,” Ori said.

According to him, a plan for expansion of roads should be taken into account.

“Unless there is an improved road connectivity chance of viability of industrialisation programme is dim,” he added.

The backward linkage for the industry is low and forward linkage is located outside the state which is another hurdle.