Jorhat (Assam), 16 August (HS): Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika on Sunday attended the 79th Foundation Day celebrations of the College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, as the Chief Guest.

Addressing the students, Hazarika said it is not possible for the government sector to provide jobs to all agriculture graduates. He urged students to move beyond conventional career choices and establish themselves as successful farmers and agri-preneurs. He said young people can earn significantly more through horticulture than through a conventional government job.

The Minister stressed that the agriculture sector cannot achieve its full potential until society sheds the perception that farming is meant only for economically disadvantaged sections.

Hazarika said, as per the direction of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Agriculture Department will organise agricultural workshops across 50 colleges in the state. He sought cooperation from AAU authorities and faculty members and said an MoU between the Education Department and Agriculture Department would soon be signed for the initiative.

He also said the Agriculture Department plans to distribute five crore high-value fruit saplings across Assam and sought AAU’s support in assisting farmers. He urged students to promote Makhana cultivation, which, he said, could help farmers increase their income.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to making Assam a leading agricultural state, Hazarika said the Agriculture Department is expediting the supply of paddy seedlings and horticultural saplings to four recently flood-affected districts.

The event was attended by AAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Dipjyoti Rajkhowa, Madhabdev University Vice-Chancellor Arupjyoti Choudhury, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLAs Hitendra Nath Goswami, Rupjyoti Kurmi and Dhiraj Gowala, among other dignitaries.

After the programme, Hazarika inspected the AAU campus and reviewed ongoing agricultural research and demonstration projects, including high-yielding paddy cultivation, seed research, climate-resilient integrated farming systems, the Amrit Sarovar project, integrated paddy-cum-fish farming models and agro-meteorological observatories.

The Minister highlighted the pivotal role of Assam Agricultural University in modernising agriculture, strengthening research and helping farmers become more productive and self-reliant.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash