Nalbari (Assam), 08 September (HS): Assam Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Pijush Hazarika on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting on potato value chain development and farmer income augmentation at the District Library Auditorium in Nalbari.

The meeting discussed measures to increase crop productivity, expand cold storage facilities, strengthen processing infrastructure and establish better market linkages for potato growers. Hazarika also interacted with farmers and reviewed the challenges faced by them.

Representatives of PepsiCo attended the meeting. The Minister appreciated the company for directly purchasing potatoes from local farmers and providing market support. He expressed hope that more farmers across Assam would partner with PepsiCo for better returns.

Hazarika said that, as directed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state government has set a target of bringing four lakh hectares of farmland under irrigation, including 4,000 bighas in Nalbari district.

The Minister urged farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops and take up commercial horticulture such as dragon fruit and apple ber. He also encouraged commercial plantation of Agarwood (Sanchi), stating that nearly 1,000 trees can be planted per bigha and could provide significant long-term economic returns.

He directed the Agriculture Department to intensify awareness about the PM-KUSUM scheme to promote solar-powered irrigation among farmers. He also shared practical measures to reduce crop losses caused by monkeys and squirrels.

Earlier, Hazarika inaugurated a Knowledge Centre at Bongaon, Chamata, and said such centres would help farmers gain modern technical knowledge and improve crop yields.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash