State's first solar powered irrigation system launched in Jorhat

We know that by mere representation of a few industrial houses and tea garden owners, we cannot project Assam  as a developed State. For the right projection, we need to strengthen our rural base through the agricultural sector. — Chief Minister

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, March 15: Reasserting that without the economical development of the rural agricultural community the State cannot be projected as a developed State, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday launched the State’s first solar powered irrigation system on a five- hectare land in Timtimia village under Bagchung Development Block in Jorhat, basically aimed at helping farmers to do double cropping for a much more and sustaible agricultural growth under the Chief Minister’s Special Agricultural scheme and Mumai Tamuli Barbaruah Farmer’s Friend Scheme 2015.

Addressing a huge gathering of farmers and general public, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, “It is an important day in the agricultural history of Assam and even for the villages. We know that by mere representation of a few industrial houses and tea garden owners, we cannot project Assam as a developed State. For the right projection we need to strengthen our rural base through the agricultural sector. The difference between the previous government and the Congress is that we always give importance to agriculture because every farmer’s basic life condition pertaining to education, medical health and livelihood is connected to agriculture. Our farmers need to be self sufficient and multi cropping will eble them to achieve their targets. The BJP party believes in capitalism acknowledging rich people while our government lays emphasis on the uplift of the poor section of the society. Today when Prime Minister Modi is on a visit to foreign countries, I am here with my people in the village planting rice seedlings. As a young boy I remember cycling in this area and I am overwhelmed to be a part of this programme today.”

Earlier, Minister of Agriculture and Panchayat and Rural Development, Rockybul Hussain said, “Gone are the days of despair when an average Assamese had to think about their livelihood. People are becoming self reliant in the field of agriculture. This scheme is basically for those farmers who want to engage in multi cropping. The Chief Minister stressed on the need to introduce the Mumai Tamuli Barbaruah Farmer’s Friend Scheme because Mumai Tamuli was the pioneer in defining to the people of Assam the importance of village life and agriculture. Our government is committed to provide seeds and fertilizers so that every farmer can achieve a greater output. From 1,200 Self Help Groups (SHG) in 2001 we now have more than three lakh SHGs. We want the women to play a greater role and woman empowerment is what our government is stressing through the NRLM (tiol Rural Livelihood Mission). From the earlier loan of Rs 1 lakh we will now provide subsidized loan up to Rs 25 Lakh under NRLM.”

Also in the programme, cheques worth Rs 40,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 were distributed among three leading farmers, mely Ashim Boruah, Barun Saikia and Protim Gogoi, besides distribution of two Power Tillers and individual cheques of Rs 15,000 to SHGs like Rojoni Atma Sahayak Gut and others.

Also present in the programme were Jorhat MLA Ra Goswami, Agricultural Chief Secretary Agriculture VK Pipersenia, Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Solanki Vishal Vasant and a host of other dignitaries.