Bodoland International Knowledge Festival
OUR CORRESPONDENT
KOKRAJHAR: Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora who attended a session on the closing day of the 1st Bodoland International Knowledge Festival in Kokrajhar, appealed to the farmers to avail the facilities offered by the government. Bora rued that many of the schemes meant for the farmers are not utilized properly.
He said, “The Government of India has given us more than Rs 2,000 crore for agriculture development fund but what I have witnessed in the last three years is that it hasn’t been utilized much. Maybe not all the farmers are aware of it.”
The Bodoland Knowledge Festival was organized by Bodoland University with active support from the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government. He further said many of the farmers had not been able to avail the facilities of PM Kissan. A huge number of fake farmers were included as beneficiaries but now these are being scrutinized, he said, adding that many didn’t apply for the trackers which the government offered as subsidies to the Self-Help-Groups in every revenue village of the State.
“You should come forward, avail the facilities and proceed towards development,” Bora said addressing the farmers. “The farmers have to be business-minded and they need to eye the profits. So, double and triple cropping are important. Our farmers need to focus on the areas where the demand is more. If the banks grant loans to the farmers, with the help of the subsidies from the government, they can try their hand in agriculture,” he added.
On government support, the minister said the Assam Government last year had procured 6 lakh metric tonne paddy from farmers. “We had a target of procuring 10 lakh metric tonne paddy from farmers but that couldn’t be achieved. We could procure 6 lakh metric tonnes. This year also we are working with a new target. So far, we have already bought 3 lakh metric tonne paddy this year,” said Bora.
Thanking Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Pramod Boro for organizing the Knowledge Festival, Atul Bora further promised to extend all necessary support to the BTC government in the agriculture sector.
“You will be glad to hear that Assam’s agricultural produce of worth Rs 4,000 crore was exported to foreign markets last year. This is huge, which never happened in the past,” Atul Bora said. He said the government was working towards promoting an organic way of farming in all the districts.
“Pesticides used in the crops have caused harm to the consumers. Though we have taken steps to stop this, we will adopt strict measures to stop this kind of practice. We have focused on organic cultivation which is most relevant in the present world globally. We have taken steps to convert Majuli into an organic hub. If gradually, we can spread this practice among all the districts, it will be beneficial in all aspects,” Bora added.
On the occasion, BTC chief Pramod Boro said they had undertaken several training programmes to enhance the performance of the farmers and produce in the region. The four-day Bodoland International Knowledge Festival concluded on Thursday.
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