In Brief
- Massive Sapling Drive: The state plans to distribute 5 crore high-yield, high-value fruit saplings annually to farmers over five years.
- AAU Collaboration: Assam Agricultural University (AAU) has been tasked to recommend 20–25 fruit varieties within a month and organize 50 youth-focused awareness workshops across state colleges.
- Focus on Lucrative Farming: Highlighting alternatives to government jobs, Minister Hazarika emphasized high-profit ventures like Foxnut (Makhana) cultivation in Assam's two lakh hectares of suitable wetlands.
In a major push toward agricultural prosperity, Assam Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, and Parliamentary Affairs Pijush Hazarika announced an ambitious plan to distribute 25 crore high-value fruit saplings to farmers across the state over the next five years. Speaking as the chief guest at the 79th Foundation Day of the College of Agriculture at Assam Agricultural University (AAU) in Jorhat, Hazarika outlined the government's strategy to distribute five crore saplings annually to strengthen the state's horticulture sector.
To execute the drive effectively, the Minister urged AAU scientists to submit a list of 20 to 25 recommended high-value, high-yielding fruit varieties within a month. Additionally, to attract youth to agriculture, the government plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education Department. Under this initiative, AAU will organize 50 workshops across state colleges to educate students on modern, high-yield farming practices.
Source: The Assam Tribune
