CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stresses agriculture

 GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday the closing ceremony of the platinum jubilee celebration of Assam Agricultural University (AAU), held at the Jorhat campus of the premier institution of the Northeastern region dedicated to agricultural studies. The Chief Minister also inaugurated four projects for AAU.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sarma lauded AAU for producing some of the finest human resources in the field of agricultural sciences who have made the State proud through their excellence in their professional fields. Referring to the role of Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi in the establishment of AAU, Chief Minister Sarma said this great institution of higher learning has been contributing immensely towards the growth of the State’s agricultural economy. Chief Minister Sarma praised the University for doing the needful, which led to an improvement in its ranking in the National Institute Ranking Framework. The Chief Minister further stated that, owing to the achievements of AAU in the field of agricultural research, many institutions of eminence from across the country as well as abroad have started to take note of the Northeast’s premier agricultural education institution. He said initiatives such as the preservation and improvement of indigenous species of fish and the muga detection kit by AAU would go a long way in further strengthening the State’s agricultural economy. Chief Minister Sarma said agricultural research should be used in such a way that, apart from promoting food security, it is able to contribute to the welfare of farmers as well. These aside, agricultural research should also focus on the promotion and conservation of biodiversity, he added. The Chief Minister said any discussion and strategy on food security need to focus on three components: availability of food resources, greater production of food resources, and the universal ability to purchase food resources. He said agricultural practises in modern times need to make extensive use of artificial intelligence, environment-friendly technology, and high-yielding varieties of seeds, among others. Modern technologies are aiding in making agricultural practises more profitable, the Chief Minister added. He said all farmers and cultivators in the State should be encouraged to make use of modern technologies, while adding that many farmers in Assam were not aware of modern agricultural practises. Steps will have to be taken to strengthen the agricultural marketing system, he added, according to a press release.

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