Pasighat, Sept. 14 -- Progressive farmer and community leader Popok Darin of Arunachal Pradesh, who spent more than five decades in agriculture and started farming at the age of eight, died of cardiac arrest early Sunday morning. He was 63.

Darin suffered cardiac arrest at around 3:30 am and was taken to Bakin Pertin General Hospital in Pasighat, where doctors declared him dead.

A resident of Kiyit village under Mebo Sub-Division, Darin managed nearly 20 hectares of maize cultivation and also grew paddy, mustard, pulses, oilseeds and bananas. He was also involved in integrated fish farming.

Darin also advocated reforms to improve the condition of farmers. He called for an effective government procurement system to provide better market...