Morigaon (Assam), 25 August (HS): Assam Agriculture, Irrigation and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika on Tuesday interacted with more than 1,000 beneficiaries of the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan (CM-AAA) in Jagiroad to review the ground-level progress of enterprises established under the flagship scheme.

During the interaction, Hazarika stressed the need to encourage production-oriented activities such as poultry, piggery, fishery, horticulture and multi-cropping, alongside traditional trading businesses. He urged the Industry Department to give priority to beneficiaries involved in agriculture and other productive sectors, stating that increased local production is essential for making Assam self-reliant in food products.

The Minister described CM-AAA as a landmark initiative of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma aimed at promoting financial independence and sustainable entrepreneurship among the youth. He cautioned beneficiaries that those who fail to properly utilise the initial financial assistance will not be eligible for subsequent instalments, stressing that public funds must be used strictly for their intended purpose.

Encouraging beneficiaries to utilise idle land for income-generating activities, Hazarika announced that the Agriculture Department will undertake a large-scale sapling distribution drive next year. Commercial fruit varieties, including coconut, areca nut, guava, litchi and apple ber, will be covered under the initiative.

He also highlighted the income potential of makhana cultivation and assured interested farmers of full support from the Agriculture Department. The Minister directed the District Agriculture Officer of Morigaon to conduct extensive awareness camps across the district to help aspiring entrepreneurs access the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for establishing agri-business enterprises.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash