Assam: Demand for agricultural products is high in national and global markets

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam agricultural products, with their high quality, are becoming favourites in the domestic and international markets, propelling the state government to set an ambitious target of exports worth Rs 10,000 crore in the next three years.

Organic agricultural products and their high qualities are the very essence of Assam agricultural products wooing global importers. Laying stress on agriculture, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "A lot of products have been exported in the past few years, and we're encouraging farmers to grow more quality fruits and veggies. We're laying equal thrust on horticulture as well. We've already exported 10 MT of ginger each to Qatar, Oman and Dubai; GI-tagged litchis to London; 42 MT of pineapple to Dubai; and 1.2 MT of lemon to London. Apart from these, we've exported 100 MT of black rice to South India, 87 MT of organic banana to Bihar, etc. Assam's agricultural produce is being actively promoted in national and international markets, reflecting robust sectoral growth."

According to sources, the Assam floriculture mission was approved in January 2023 with an initial investment of Rs 150 crore, targeting the inclusion of 20,000 farmers. The mission aims to promote commercial floriculture covering a total area of 1,688 hectares.

On the other hand, 15,000 hectares of land have already been converted for organic farming with the involvement of 15,000 farmers. Export-orientated high-value crops like ginger, turmeric, pineapple, black pepper, cocoa, red rice, joha rice, and black rice are being promoted for cultivation.

According to sources, educated youths in the state have evinced interest in organic farming in a scientific way. The enthusiasm among the new generation is yielding results, boosting exports of products in the domestic and the international markets. The state government is extending facilities to reduce the post-harvest loss. A state organic brand name, ASOMA (Assam State Organic Mission Agency), has been created to promote and market the organic agricultural products of Assam.

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