Assam Government Launches Initiative to Boost Horticulture with 25 Crore Saplings
Promoting Horticulture in Assam
File image. (Photo:@himantabiswa/'X')
JORHAT, Aug 17: On Sunday, Pijush Hazarika, the Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, and Parliamentary Affairs, unveiled an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing the horticulture sector in Assam. The plan involves distributing 25 crore high-value fruit saplings to farmers throughout the state over the next five years.
During the 79th Foundation Day celebration at the College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Hazarika emphasized the government's goal of providing at least five crore saplings annually to stimulate the horticulture industry, which holds significant potential.
The minister urged AAU scientists to recommend suitable varieties of high-value and high-yielding fruit saplings for distribution, requesting a list of 20-25 varieties within a month.
To encourage youth participation in agriculture, he called upon Vice Chancellor Dr. Dipjyoti Rajkhowa and faculty members to organize workshops across all colleges in the state, focusing on high-yield crop farming, aligning with the Chief Minister’s vision for a prosperous agricultural landscape in Assam.
Hazarika proposed that AAU conduct 50 workshops in this regard and assured financial support for the initiative, mentioning a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the education department.
He also promoted the cultivation of Foxnut (Makhana), sharing insights from a recent visit to a farm in Darrang district, where a youth-led NGO successfully cultivated the crop, which is resilient against various threats including wildlife and flooding.
The minister noted that there are approximately two lakh hectares of wetland in Assam suitable for Makhana cultivation.
Encouraging students to pursue farming over traditional government jobs, Hazarika highlighted the importance of utilizing their knowledge to enhance the agricultural economy, given that 70% of the state's population relies on agriculture.
He pointed out that while government jobs may offer limited salaries starting below Rs 1 lakh, establishing a horticulture garden on a five-bigha plot could yield an annual income of around Rs 20 lakh.
Additionally, the minister launched a coffee table book during the event. The Foundation Day lecture was presented by Prof. Arupjyoti Choudhury, Vice Chancellor of Madhavdev University, Narayanpur, Lakhimpur.
Earlier, AAU Vice Chancellor provided an overview of the university's activities and achievements, while the welcome address was delivered by Dr. PK Pathak, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture.
Notable attendees included Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLAs from Jorhat, Mariani, and Titabar, along with AAU Registrar Damodar Barman and other university officials.