JORHAT, March 15 � Tracing the historical and economic significance of the first organised farming modalities propagated by the Ahom administrator Momai Tamuli Barbaruah in the State, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today inaugurated a mega agricultural scheme at Timtimia village of Kuwaripukhuri area, 24 kms from here.
The scheme named as Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bandhu Achani the Chief Minister asked every farmer of the State to reap its benefit by availing solar-pump and many other amenities for double cropping of paddy in all those cultivable fields that remained abandoned at least for six months after collection is being over in every winter.
�Our State cannot progress without the improvement of rural economy. As majority of the rural population depends of agricultural activities we must inspire them to progress,� said Gogoi. He said that people of the State should remember Momai Tamuli Barbaruah who taught the benefits of organised farming for the first time in the State.
Solar-pump has been installed at the paddy field of Timtimia village by the agricultural department today which is said to be the first in the State. Along with his Cabinet colleague Rockybul Hussain the Chief Minister left no chance to woo the local people by planting the seedlings in the paddy field of the village.
However, narrating the benefits of the scheme in the inaugural function State Minister for Agriculture, Panchayat and Rural Development Rockybul Hussain said that the interested farmers of every district can avail solar-pumps, required fertilizers and seeds at free of cost from his department under this particular scheme.
According to him the scheme has been launched for inspiring the farmers for double-cropping in the entire State. �As a survey brought to light that majority of the paddy fields remained barren for many months after one time paddy cultivation is being over the department felt the utmost need of such a scheme which can provide all the supports to the cultivators for double-cropping of paddy,� said Hussain.
Some farmers of the district, who showed exemplary instances of agricultural activities was honoured by Gogoi, Hussain and the local MLA Rana Goswami.
The best farmer of the district Ashim Baruah of Kathporia Gaon in Jorhat was honoured with a cheque of Rs 40,000 while Borun Saikia of Kuhiarbari village of Majuli and Protim Gogoi of Titabor were honoured with cheques of Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively during the programme. Some other farmers and self-help groups were also provided power-tillers and cheques by the Chief Minister.
