Growth is not possible without agricultural expansion: Sonowal

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUwahati, Feb 9: Stating that in order to obtain increased agricultural production there is a need of better coordition among soil conservation and irrigation, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said that the government is committed to uplift the farming community of the state through various measures for achieving high growth of agricultural sector.  

Taking part as the chief guest in the iugural function of the tiol level conference med Farmers First for Conserving Soil and Water Resources in Northeastern Region (FFCSWR-2017) at Assam Veteriry College Auditorium, Khapara in the city, Sonowal said that these conferences would act as a platform for coming up with innovative solutions for water and soil conservation and encourage the farmers to go for multi-cropping.

Stating that this year’s Budget shows the commitment of the government towards the farming community of the state as substantial fincial allocation has been made in the agriculture sector, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the Prime Minister rendra Modi’s vision of making Northeast Region an organic hub would be realised as organic farming practices would be intensively encouraged in the state in the coming years.  

Referring to Chief Minister’s Samagra Grammya Unyan Yoj (CMSGUY), Sonowal said the scheme has been launched to achieve holistic development of the villages by finding out the core strength of every village and working towards making that strength sustaible and economically viable. Village Tourism is one area through which the government is keen to achieve economic upliftment of the villages, added Sonowal.

“Along with agricultural sector we will transform the villages into hubs of economic activity in the coming years” said the Chief Minister.

Noting that the farmers of several districts of the state are involved in triple cropping in a year Sonowal said that he has decided to interact with all such progressive farmers to get first-hand experience of their success stories and has directed the Soil Conservation Department to popularize rain water harvesting and take steps for retaining the water level of Integrated Watershed Projects for judicious utilization of water during winter season.

Quoting the Situation Assessment Survey, Sonowal said that during the period from 2002-03 to 2012-13, the farm income in Assam was recorded only 0.88 percent as against tiol average of 5.2 per cent which is very poor and he urged upon the agricultural scientists of the state to come up with ways to increase the farm income so that young generation is attracted towards taking up farming as a means for livelihood.

Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University K.M. Bujarbarua and other agricultural scientists of repute from different parts of the country were present on the occasion.