AIZAWL: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary said on Friday that good road and railway infrastructures should be developed in Mizoram to usher in development in tourism and among farmers.

The Union Minister said that the northeastern state has a great potential for organic farming and is rich in natural resources.

Even though there are good avenues of markets for selling farmers products outside the state, it will be difficult to take concrete steps if there is not proper road infrastructure and communication in the state, he said.

Citing that farmers in Mizoram might also face problems due to absence of proper road infrastructure and railway line, the Centre and state government must work concertedly to address the problem.

“Inter-state as well as intra-state roads and railway lines should be improved in Mizoram to develop tourism and ensure that the farmers are economically uplifted. The Centre and state government must work together towards this end” Choudhary told a news conference in Aizawl.

He claimed that the income of the farmers will be doubled by four times under the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by 2029.

The Union Minister said that he was sent to Mizoram to explore avenues for development of the state in different sectors.

Choudhary, who arrived on Wednesday on a three-day tour, said that the Centre has developed schemes to assist farmers, whose farms and crops have been affected by natural calamities.

However, compensation is given to such affected farmers based on the report or complaint submitted by the state government, he said.

He added that the Centre also developed crops insurance schemes, which are yet to be availed in Mizoram.