AAU VC for commercialization of agricultural sector
From a Correspondent
Tezpur, May 28: Stressing commercialization of the agricultural sector of the State, Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, Dr KM Bujarbaruah, said that for the uplift of the farmers and the agricultural sector of the State, AAU had been urging the Central Government to establish a tiol-level agricultural research centre in Assam.
The noted scientist, who was addressing a mammoth gathering during an awareness programme on Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yoj organized by pam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK, pam) under AAU on Saturday, further said that despite having unimagible potentiality in the agricultural field, due to various constraints farmers cannot prosper in Assam. “We feel it happens only because of lack of awareness regarding the various projects adopted by the agencies concerned, including the agricultural department. We will have to make our farmers skilled and conscious about every issue,” he said.
Speaking on the history of the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in agriculture, he said that when the Indian people were starving during the 90s and had to feed themselves with food supplied by countries like America, Indian farmers started a green revolution using chemical fertilizers in their agricultural fields. “However, today we have become aware about the merits and demerits of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Use of chemical fertilizers has been replaced today by organic process as along with the development of the agricultural sector, we will have to be concerned about our health,” he maintained. In his speech the Vice-Chancellor also said that for taking forward the agricultural sector of the State already a mega project had been submitted to the NITI Aayog.
“Around Rs 20,000 crore has already been allotted for the agricultural development of the country and out of this fund, if at-least Rs 500 crore is slated for Assam, the State will reach a stupendous position in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of the programme, Dr Bujarbaruah said that he was hopeful that the new State Government would give priority to develop the agricultural sector.
Tezpur MP, RP Sharma, while speaking on the occasion, spoke about the importance of organic farming. Speaking on the chemical fertilizer mece, he said that States like Harya and Panjab had been facing serious threat of dreaded diseases like cancer because of extensive use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural fields. “So we have to be more alert. Since we have enough potentiality for organic farming, we should take its advantage and provide a healthy society,” he said. He added that bio-diversity of the region had to be maintained for keeping the region ecologically balanced.
Attending the programme, Deputy Commissioner of Sonitpur, Laya Madduri also emphasized the importance of the Kishan Credit Card (KCC) and its benefit to farmers. She said that the farmers had to be made aware about various schemes of the agricultural department, including fincial assistance by the banks and agricultural insurance policies, especially for the farmers. “If positive initiative is taken, Sonitpur district will top among all the districts of the State in case of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yoj implementations,” she said.
Earlier giving a key note address, Director, ATARI Zone –III- ICAR, Dr. Bidyut Chandra Deka said that the Central Government was taking certain major initiatives to take forward the agricultural sector. As part of this initiative, the agricultural department was trying give a new approach to the farmers. “Our farmers often suffer from tural calamities like drought and flood and lose their harvest and ultimately become helpless. Through this scheme (PMFBY) they will be relieved. They will have the facility of insurance against their crops and agri-activity,” he stated.
Prior to this, programme coorditor, KVK, pam, Dr. Pramud Chandra Deka, in his welcome address urged the participants, particularly the farmers hailing from the different parts of the district, to get involved in every project of the department. The programme was conducted by Scientist, KVK, pam, Anjan Sharma. In the programme, the farmers were distributed Soil Health Card and various agricultural products were also exhibited in about 40 stalls set up in the campus of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
