Horticulture sector of Assam is rich in tradition: Minister of Agriculture Atul Bora

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Atul Bora, the Minister of Agriculture of Assam, inaugurated the 10th Indian Horticulture Congress organized by the Indian Academy of Horticulture Sciences, New Delhi, and Assam Agricultural University at the Srimanta Sankardev International Auditorium in Panjabari, Guwahati, on Monday.

The minister launched four books and a souvenir at the event. The 10th Indian Horticulture Congress, which will be held until November 9, was inaugurated today in the presence of more than 500 horticulture experts from across the country. The Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences also presented honorary awards to several horticulturalists who have made significant contributions to the development of the horticultural sector in the country. Several dignitaries from the horticulture and allied fields attended this event.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the horticulture sector of Assam is rich in tradition, diversity, and potential, and the state is naturally organic with vast natural resources suitable for agriculture. “If we think of these as the strengths of our agriculture sector, then at the same time, our various other problems, including natural disasters, infrastructure, advanced technology, etc., are some of the weaknesses of the agriculture sector. We must take these weaknesses as challenges and make meaningful use of our potential to achieve the main goal. The country’s agriculturalists and scientists have a major responsibility in this regard for the sake of equal development in our country,” said Atul Bora, Minister of State for Agriculture.

He also said, “The Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sharma, has already taken various reforms in the agriculture and allied sectors of the state to achieve his goal of establishing Assam as one of the top five states in the country through the development of agriculture and allied sectors. He suggested emphasizing export-oriented agriculture and turning horticulture into a mass movement for the benefit of small and marginal farmers in the state. He also urged agriculturalists and other stakeholders to assist small and marginal farmers in the state with appropriate technology for this information.”

The minister also mentioned that the GI-tagged products, including Karbi Anglong Ginger, Kazi Lemon, Joha Rice, Boka Rice, Chokua Rice, and Tezpur Litchi, have been major commodities for export. Adding to that, the export of agricultural products from Assam worth Rs 4,000 crore in the 2022–23 fiscal year will increase to Rs 10,000 crore in the 2026–27 fiscal year. He also said the export of agricultural products from Assam has increased to 85 per cent in the last six years. He mentioned a special scheme worth Rs 101 crore called Assam Pushpa Abhiyan that is being implemented to increase the income of small and marginal farmers in Assam. Agriculture Minister Bora said two schemes, namely the Assam Millet Mission and the Assam Fodder Mission, are being implemented to increase the income of farmers in the state, and consideration is being given to setting up a research institute on herbs in Golaghat district.

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