Assam yet to pick up pace of one-district one-product concept

ONE-DISTRICT ONE-PRODUCT

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The one-district one-product concept of the Government of India is yet to gear up in Assam. The Centre has identified the district-wise products that have production and export prospects.

The concept of a one-district one-product gives special thrust on the product that has the maximum production and export prospects in a given district. The State government should lay thrust on the production and export of such products to benefit the farmers and the state economy.

Some of the district and their products as identified by the Centre are – honey in Baksa, turmeric in Bongaigaon, pineapple in Cachar, lemon in Chirang, ginger in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, banana in Kamrup and Goalpara, black rice in Golaghat, cashew nuts in South Salmara, chilli in Jorhat, citrus fruits in Tinsukia, etc.

The State Government has to carry out a baseline study of agricultural, horticultural, cereal and some traditional products in the state vis-à-vis the districts they grow.

State Agriculture, Trade and Commerce departments have been working in this field taking the prospects of exports of the products in view. In December 2020, the Commercial and Industries Department instructed the deputy commissioners to identify products that have production and export prospects, district-wise.

However, the process is yet to pick up the pace. There are exports of lemon, ginger, pineapple etc., to an extent. However, these are due to individual efforts of the farmers, not because of efforts by the departments concerned.

Orange is grown at Hahim, Santipur, Malang etc., in the Kamrup district. However, the production of orange has come down in these areas due to attacks from dry black. The orange growers have been taking up the problem with the Agriculture Department without a prompt response from the other end.

Meanwhile, a source in the Agriculture Department said, "We need to identify district-wise agricultural products based on agro-climatic zones, product quality, taste, aroma, medicinal values, etc., besides prospects of exports. The products identified need special thrust. We are trying, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot pick up the right pace. Our farmers have some problems. Unlike community cultivation in the rest of India, our farmers cultivate individually. It is because of the pattern of land ownership in the state. The lack of finance for cultivation and poor marketing network in the state also adds to the farmers' woes. The farmers evince less interest as the marketing facilities in the state are very poor.

"Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is laying stress on the one-district one-product concept. We will give total focus on this when normalcy returns to the state."

Prime Minister-FME (Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprise) sponsored the scheme. It provides funds, technical know-how, supports for upgrading the existing micro food processing enterprises.

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