Horticulture Leads Assam’s Farm Growth with 81 Lakh MT Output

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam is witnessing a diversification in the agriculture sector with horticultural production going alongside agricultural production. In 2023-24, horticultural production in the state was 81.03 lakh MT.

According to official sources, horticultural crops occupy around 15 per cent of the gross crop area in the state, with an annual production of around 67 lakh MT of various horticultural products.

Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The increase in horticultural products in the state is a testament to the strong growth of the sector and farmers’ interest in diversifying from paddy to other crops. The state has now emphasised the commercialisation of the sector on a priority basis. This diversification is being fully supported by the government through various measures.”

According to official sources, Assam exports Assam lemons to London, pineapples to Dubai, and ginger and turmeric to Switzerland. This has been facilitated through APEDA-accredited exporters. In the year 2023-24, the area under the cultivation of horticulture crops was 6.76 hectares, and the production was 81.03 lakh MT.

According to sources, for various reasons farmers have reduced paddy cultivation in the state. The area of arable land for paddy is also shrinking in the state to make way for the growth of other activities like the expansion of highways and industrialisation, along with factors like erosion, siltation, etc.

On the other hand, in the past few years, the exports of horticultural products have been registering a rising graph. Significantly, the young generation is more attracted to horticulture for its commercial potential. The use of better technology, management, provision of planting materials, proper harvesting techniques, transportation and marketing facilities, etc., also plays a role in this surge in horticultural production.

The net area sown in Assam is 27.65 lakh hectares, the area sown more than once is 13.65 lakh hectares, and around 70 per percent of people in Assam are engaged in agriculture. Several agriculture-centric schemes from the state and central governments, like Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana, Agro-Forestry, National Mission on Edible Oil Seeds, Horticultural Mission for Northeast and Himalayan States, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kishan Sanman Nidhi, etc., are aiding the farmers.

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