Mindset of rural farmers must be changed to make them agri-entrepreneurs: Darrang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Barman

MANGALDAI: “As you are going to complete your degree from Assam Agriculture University (AAU), you all have a lot of responsibility to make changes in the field of agriculture in the State. Assam is an agriculture-based State and the rural farmers are yet to get acquainted with the latest technical knowhow for which majority of the village farmers are adopting the traditional method with single cropping system. It is high time that young people like you should come forward to change the mindset of the rural farmers and to transform the village farmers into agri-entrepreneurs,” said Darrang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Barman while talking to a group of 32 students of three agriculture colleges under AAU in an informal discussion at the DC’s bungalow here in Mangaldai on Sunday afternoon.

All the 32 students in their last semester from agriculture colleges in Biswanath Chariali, Dhubri and AAU campus have been camping in four remote village of Darrang since September under the AAU-sponsored Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme (RAWEP) in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Darrang. Around 18 boys and 14 girls from the three agriculture colleges comprised the visiting group of students.

Under RAWEP, all students have been staying in the house of villagers in Baneikuchi, Senapatipara, Gargari and Niz Sarabari of the district and have been exchanging views and techniques with the village farmers. Taking part in the function, Darrang Superintendent of Police Sreejith Thiraviam advised the visiting students to devote their time for promotion of agriculture in the State so that the young generation could be motivated to become agri-entrepreneurs. He also apprised the inquisitive students about his struggle to crack the UPSC.

Mediaperson Bhargab Kumar Das spoke about the significance and importance of the historic Krishak Vidroh at Pothorughat in Darrang on January 28, 1894 and narrated the supreme sacrifice offered by 140 village farmers while raising their voice against the enhanced land revenue imposed by the colonial rulers. Hengool Jyoti Saloi of KVK, Darrang, mediaperson Ganesh Dutta and Hemanta Kumar Barua were also present in the discussion.