Guwahati, 24 August (HS): Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika on Monday said Assam’s five-year agriculture roadmap will focus on crop diversification, high-value crops, horticulture, irrigation, market linkages and exports to increase farmers’ income.

Addressing around 250 progressive farmers at a state-level workshop on strengthening business opportunities for agriculture and allied products at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, Hazarika stressed the need to make agriculture more profitable and market-oriented.

He urged farmers to continue paddy cultivation while adopting double and triple cropping and taking up high-value crops that require less land and provide higher returns. He said the experiences and suggestions of progressive farmers would be incorporated into the department’s five-year roadmap, with consultations to be held every three months.

Hazarika said the government aims to develop Assam into a horticulture hub, with greater emphasis on fruits, litchi and other horticultural crops. He also announced that makhana cultivation would be promoted in the state in mission mode, with makhana seeds to be provided to farmers from February next year.

The minister said externally aided projects worth around Rs 5,000 crore have been proposed for agriculture and ₹6,000 crore for irrigation. While around 21% of the state’s agricultural land is currently covered by irrigation, the government aims to increase coverage by another 20% over the next five years.

The government has also set a target of distributing around seven crore fruit saplings among farmers in the next season. Special distribution of coconut saplings will begin this year in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.

During the workshop, 21 progressive farmers shared their experiences and suggestions. Panel discussions were held on organic farming, agricultural infrastructure, quality standards, transportation, exports and the commercial potential of honey, spices, rice, fruits and vegetables.

Hazarika said the government would adopt an integrated approach to strengthen Assam’s agriculture sector and increase farmers’ income through diversification, horticulture, irrigation, better market linkages and exports.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash