Rs 200 crore kept for MSP to paddy farmers: Agriculture Minister Atul Bora

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The thrust of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government is on the use of modern tools and equipment in the agricultural sector in order to double farmers' income. Moreover, to ensure that farmers get the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their products, the State Government has set aside Rs 200 crore.

This was stated by State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora while talking to media persons after harvesting paddy with a mini combine harvester machine at Uloni near Khetri in Kamrup (metro) district.

The minister said that through mechanization and use of modern tools, the State Government wanted to transform the agricultural sector and double farmers' income. The focus on farm mechanization is driven by the need for enhancing agriculture productivity.

"One group in every Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) will be given 80 per cent subsidy to purchase combine harvester. With the help of the combine harvester machine, farmers will be able to harvest paddy faster. This will enable the land to be re-used for cultivating other crops," he said, and added, "Also, under the Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana, in every gaon panchayat, one beneficiary will get 30 per cent subsidy to start a small rice mill. In addition, the government will provide 1,000 mini trucks for farmers to transport agricultural produce from the field to the market." Bora said that these steps will be taken by the goverment in order to double farmers' income.

The modern combine harvester is a versatile machine designed to efficiently harvest a variety of grain crops.

"To ensure that farmers get the Minimun Support Price (MSP) for paddy, the State Government has kept aside Rs 200 crore. This time, including the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board, six agencies will purchase paddy from farmers," said the minister.

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