Assam Government Promotes Agriculture and Dairy Farming on Vacant Lands

The Assam government is launching a new initiative aimed at encouraging local youth to participate in agriculture and dairy farming on unused government land. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the formation of cooperative committees to oversee these activities, allowing land to be rented at a nominal fee. This effort aims to prevent land encroachment and will be discussed further during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's upcoming visit. The initiative also emphasizes the protection of tribal communities under the Forest Rights Act, ensuring their rights are upheld while addressing illegal encroachments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2025, 16:12 IST

Encouraging Youth Participation in Agriculture

Guwahati, August 1: The government of Assam is aiming to motivate local residents, especially the younger generation, to engage in agricultural and dairy farming on unused government land by establishing cooperative committees.

This initiative was announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur on Friday.

According to the Chief Minister, these cooperative committees will oversee agricultural and dairy farming on unoccupied government properties. He expressed a desire to inspire youth to pursue these opportunities, with land available for lease at a minimal cost of Re 1 or Rs 2.

Sarma pointed out that this program aims to curb the ongoing encroachment of government land throughout the state.

He mentioned that the topic will be revisited on August 29, coinciding with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Guwahati. Shah is scheduled to inaugurate the newly built Raj Bhawan, honor newly elected NDA panchayat members, and participate in the centenary celebration of Golap Borbora, Assam’s first non-Congress Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister noted that Amit Shah, who also holds the position of Minister of Cooperatives, will promote the cultivation of vacant government lands during the event honoring the newly elected NDA panchayat members, which will help deter land encroachment.

Sarma stressed the importance of ensuring that no land remains free in the state.

He recounted an eviction operation conducted early that morning in Orang, where illegal encroachers were attempting to take possession of land. He warned that if land is perceived as free, it will attract encroachment.

Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed district administrations to monitor encroachments in forest regions. However, he clarified that individuals eligible under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, particularly tribal communities settled prior to 2005, would not face eviction.

Sarma assured that those without FRA coverage would be evicted, while tribal individuals with legitimate claims would be safeguarded.

Recently, on July 28, the Biswanath district administration officially distributed land title certificates to 2,145 claimants residing on forest land in the district under the Forest Land Rights Act, 2006.

In his opening remarks, Ashok Singhal highlighted that this initiative by the State government is a commendable effort to protect the rights of forest dwellers in Assam and uphold their social and cultural entitlements under the FRA.