Concerns over oil palm cultivation: Assam Pradesh Kissan Congress has submitted a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi

GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Kissan Congress has submitted a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi, drawing attention to the pressing issues surrounding the implementation of various agricultural and horticultural schemes in the state. The primary concerns raised by the farmers' representative body pertain to the cultivation of oil palm and the alleged misappropriation of government funds in Assam.

At the forefront of the protest is the opposition to a new centrally sponsored scheme under the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech in 2021. The Assam Pradesh Kissan Congress contends that the introduction of this scheme is influenced by the interests of prominent capitalists, including Goutam Adani and Ramdev, rather than prioritizing the welfare of local farmers.

Furthermore, the memorandum highlighted the purported mismanagement of government funds in the implementation of agricultural schemes, such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana. It is asserted that a substantial amount of allocated funds remains unutilized, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the execution of crucial developmental projects.

One glaring example of the neglect of developmental projects in Assam, as cited by the Kissan Congress, is the Namrup Fertilizer Plant. Despite its significance for the agricultural sector, the central government has allegedly overlooked the plant's dire need for attention and investment, exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers.

Another grievance raised in the memorandum is the absence of the Seeds Village Programme in Assam. The Assam Seeds Corporation Ltd., established in 1967, was expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of quality seeds. However, the Kissan Congress contends that the program has not been effectively implemented, leading to a persistent shortage of high-quality seeds and consequently hampering agricultural productivity.

The farmers' representative body emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues to safeguard the interests of Assam's agricultural community. The lack of adequate attention to developmental projects and the alleged misappropriation of funds pose significant obstacles to the state's agricultural progress. The Assam Pradesh Kissan Congress urges Rahul Gandhi to intervene and champion the cause of farmers, calling for a thorough investigation into the concerns raised in the memorandum.

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