Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma stresses upon integrated farming for better GDP growth
A Correspondent
JORHAT: “Though Assam is an agricultural State, the Gross Domestic Product rate is very poor from agricultural and manufacturing side. The time has come for our farmers to follow integrated farming for which our agricultural scientist and experts from the Assam Agricultural University have to guide the farmers and inspire the new generation towards agriculture,” said State Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma who was the chief guest of the golden jubilee closing ceremony of Assam Agricultural University (AAU) held at the Dr MC Das memorial auditorium in the Jorhat campus on Monday.
“Through integrated multiple farming, the unused land lying vacant in many areas throughout the State and region will be utilized throughout the year following which the purchasing power of the farmers will grow. Only then the economy of the State will grow. With stagnant and mono cropping, no farmer can help in the growth of GDP rate,” said Sarma.
Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Rajya Sabha MP, who was present on the occasion as the special invites, congratulated the AAU fraternity for completion of 50 years and further called upon AAU scholars to guide and inspire the upcoming new generation towards farming in order to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of double income for farmers by 2022.
Earlier, Dr KM Bujarbaruah, the vice chancellor of AAU, spoke about the overall performance of the agricultural college and KVKs. He also thanked the State Finance Minister for his quick intervention to release arrears of the teaching staff and pensioners and also urged him to release a huge amount for various pensioners.
Sarma appreciated the performance of the scientists after his visit to the Bio-Technology department where he interacted with a galaxy of agri scientists and then inaugurated the AAU Museum which is one of its kind in the entire region.
A documentary on AAU on the past 50 years, its achievement and development was released by the chief guest while Dr. Jayanta Deka, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture delivered the vote of thanks. Among others present were Dr. R Sharma, Director Physical Plant, Bhaben Bharali, MLA of Dergaon, Palit Bora, chairman of Assam Marketing Board, professors and students from all the six colleges of AAU.