CM Dr. Sarma Visits 8thAssam International Agri-Horti Show 2023
CM Lays Foundation Stone for Darrangiri Banana Market Development Project; Lays Foundation of Assam seed Corporation Bhawan, Unveils Logo and Brandname of Assam Seed Corporation Ltd
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday visited the 8th Assam Agri-Horti Show-2023 at College of Veterinary Sciences Playground at Khanapara scheduled to be held on 16th, 17th and 18th of December, 2023. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma today inaugurated the Assam Mandap, Assam Agriculture University Mandap and the International Pavilion and also visited the stalls by framers from across the State where various produces were kept for display. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for the project for development of the Darrangiri banana market. This apart, he virtually laid the foundation stones for the office building of Assam Seed Corporation Limited and ceremonially unveiled its logo and the “brandname”.
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said the current government in the State has been working tirelessly for the past two and half years for the uplift of the agriculture sector. He said the initiative by the State government to procure paddy at a minimum support price led to procurement of a total of 6-lakh metric tonne of the crop from as many as 62,000 farmers from across the State. This led to transfer of an aggregate amount of Rs. 1,200 crore into the accounts of the farmers and agriculturists, he said. The State government’s attempt at purchase of mustard from farmers too have met with unprecedented enthusiasm, he said. The Chief Minister added that all steps are being taken to see that farmers are nor deprived of the schemes and policies that have been launched or undertaken for their benefits. Millet Mission, Fodder Mission, among others, are also being utilized as medium to support the farmers, he added. Drawing a comparison between farmers in many other States to those from Assam, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said Assam’s farmers should also practise commercial tree plantation and horticulture more extensively so as to increase their incomes like their counterparts from some of the other States. Referring to products from the State such as lemon, lichi, ginger, bhootjolokia, among others, managing to attract attention in many markets abroad, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma exuded confidence scientific cultivation of such species would go a long way in ensuring a niche market for such products from Assam in the world market.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said thought there is a Rs. 100-crore flower market in the State, flowers cultivated in the State constitute only about 15% of the total demand. The State is also dependent on procurement from outside the State for pig feed and fish feed, among others, he added. He made and appealto concerned authorities to take steps to transform Assam into a State that is self-sufficient in agriculture and poultry.
Ministers of Assam Cabinet Atual Bora, Keshab Mahanta, Sanjay Kishan, Jayanta Mallabaruah, Members of Parliament Queen Ojha, were also present.