GUWAHATI, May 16 - As part of activities chalked out to strengthen the agro-based economy, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today visited the Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Kahikuchi campus of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and asked the agricultural scientists to develop ways and means for a triple cropping system in the State.
A day after his announcement of the State losing Rs 1,000 crore revenue every day amid the coronavirus pandemic, Sonowal, in an attempt to infuse a fresh lease of life into the rural economy, asked the agri-scientists to empower the farming community as well as increase fertility of the crop area to sustainably practise triple cropping in the State throughout the year.
He said, �If this can be done it will help in ramping up production as also the State�s self-reliance. In a state where approximately 53 per cent of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture, the sector, if scientific practices are followed, can turn around the State�s economy which is in slump because of the Covid-19 pandemic.�
He also asked the agri-scientists to take the lead in using agriculture in the State�s endeavour to turn around its corona-affected economy.
Sonowal also visited a plot of land where dhaincha which is regarded as a green manure to sustain high demand for organic farming, is cultivated. Cultivation of dhaincha increases soil fertility by way of nitrogen fixation which sustains high yielding crops variety. Sonowal requested the KVK functionaries for increased cultivation of dhaincha to contribute to increased production of agri-products.
Chief Minister Sonowal also visited plots of lands where lemon, mango, black pepper, pineapple, mango, etc., are grown. In a bid to empower the farmers hit by the COVID-19, he distributed vegetable seeds and paddy seeds. He also distributed pulverisers, power tillers, etc., among the farmers.
