Department of Agriculture organized meet on post-COVID scene in Guwahati

An interactive session on “Different issues and challenges in agriculture and allied sectors” was organized
Department of Agriculture organized meet on post-COVID scene in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: An interactive session on "Different issues and challenges in agriculture and allied sectors" was organized by the Department of Agriculture at the Assam Administrative Staff College on Monday. Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and various representatives of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Agriculture University and other financial institutions were present. In the meeting, a discussion was held to tackle the situation which might arise post COVID-19 lockdown.

Following the meeting, Atul Bora said that the Rs 20 lakh crore economic package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi focuses on the development of Agriculture and its allied sectors. "If we can bring a change in the agricultural sector after the COVID-19 situation then the State's economic foundation will be strong. We will move forward by following a road map," said Bora. The Minister said that during the Phase I of the lockdown, the agriculture sector incurred losses of around Rs 40.8 crores.

"A state level committee was formed to tackle the crisis following which 5,000 farmers were appointed as vendors. The initiative aims to get rid of middle men from the markets. Now, we have started a process to register the vendors. These vendors are from both agriculture and animal husbandry sectors. The agricultural production of the State should be of good quality to conquer the foreign markets. We have already sent stocks of pumpkin to Dubai and are planning to send more agricultural products to other countries," added Bora.

Talking about the stranded people who are returning back to Assam, Bora said that a State and District Level committee will be formed by officials of Agriculture and its allied sectors to engage the returnees. "To train these people, 25 knowledge centres will be opened with support from NABARD. Discussions were held on the plan of action to help the farmers who have been affected by the lockdown and the flood affected people," he added.

Futher, the Minister said that a verification and inquiry is underway on the alleged anomalies in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. "Already 8.19 lakh doubtful beneficiary names have been detected. Few more lakh names are yet to be detected following which the real beneficiary names will be added," he added. Speaking further, he said that NABARD will provide financial support to set up slaughter houses in the State. The minister also ordered the Agriculture and Agricultural University officials to prepare for locust attacks in the State. 

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