Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora on Monday said that Assam had exported agricultural products worth Rs 4,000 crore in 2022-23.
“Assam had exported agricultural products worth Rs 4000 crore in 2022-23. Tea is a major exported product, but there are many other agricultural, and horticulture products. The farmers of the state now realise that there is a big market for their produced products,” Atul Bora said.
He said that the Assam government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is always encouraging the farmers of the state and has implemented many projects and schemes for the all-round development of the agricultural sector.
The 8th Assam International Agru-Horti Show ended on Monday at the College of Veterinary Science Playground, Khanapara in Guwahati.
The 3-day Agri-Horti Show started on December 16 and was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Sarma.
Assam Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimari, Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, and Minister Jogen Mohan were present in the closing programme of the event.
In the inaugural programme, Assam Chief Minister Sarma said that the current government in the state has been working tirelessly for the past two and half years for the upliftment of the agriculture sector.
“The initiative by the State government to procure paddy at a minimum support price led to the procurement of a total of 6-lakh metric tonnes of the crop from as many as 62,000 farmers from across the state. This led to the transfer of an aggregate amount of Rs 12,000 crore into the accounts of the farmers and agriculturists,” the Assam Chief Minister said.
He also said that the state government’s attempt to purchase mustard from farmers has met with unprecedented enthusiasm.
The Chief Minister added that all steps are being taken to see that farmers are not deprived of the schemes and policies that have been launched or undertaken for their benefit.
“Millet Mission, Fodder Mission, among others, are also being utilized as medium to support the farmers,” he added.
Drawing a comparison between farmers in many other states to those from Assam CM said Assam’s farmers should also practise commercial tree plantation and horticulture more extensively to increase their incomes like their counterparts from some of the other states.
Referring to products from the state such as lemon, lichi, ginger, bhootjolokia, among others, managing to attract attention in many markets abroad, Chief Minister Dr Sarma exuded confidence scientific cultivation of such species would go a long way in ensuring a niche market for such products from Assam in the world market.
Chief Minister Sarma said that there is a Rs 100 crore flower market in the State, flowers cultivated in the state constitute only about 15 per cent of the total demand.
“The State is also dependent on procurement from outside the State for pig feed and fish feed, among others,” he added.
He also appealed to concerned authorities to take steps to transform Assam into a State that is self-sufficient in agriculture and poultry.
The Agriculture Minister also spoke at the event and said that farmers from various districts had participated in the Agri-Horti Show and that competitions were also organised here.
“We distributed awards to the farmers who are working well in this agricultural sector. Business and buyer’s meetings were also held and more than 30 resource persons also participated. We are always encouraging our farmers,” said Bora.
Assam Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, State Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, and Minister for Revenue & Disaster Management, Jogen Mohan were present in the closing ceremonial programme of the event. (ANI)
