Pabhoi (Biswanath Chariali), May 23 - At a time when the farmers of the region are getting a raw deal with regard to modern agricultural facilities Neelam Dutta, a farmer of Pabhoi area, some 30 km way from Biswanath Chariali town has become a role model not only for the region but across the country and even abroad through his exclusive agricultural activities.
Various agricultural activities including fish rearing and fish breeding, organic manure and bio-pesticide production, duckery, dairy, nursery besides a special effort to cultivate aromatic paddy varieties like �Joha� and creating and preserving a paddy gene-pool in the region can be seen at Neelam�s farmhouse which is popularly known as �Pabhoi Greens�.
�Pabhoi Greens� also popular in the region as Lakshmi Agriculture Multipurpose Project (LAMP) is a composite farm established way back in 1978-79 by Neelam�s father, Late Dr Hemen Dutta in Pabhoi village covering around 12 hectares of land. Neelam, an MSW degree holder energetic youth and proprietor of the farm is presently working to increase the productivity, availability and affordability of agricultural products. Neelam who began working on agriculture and related projects since the age of 17, had an ambition of exploring related fields like fish rearing, fish breeding, paddy cultivation, exotic vegetable cultivation, organic manure and bio-pesticide production and has now been able to materialise those dreams through his untiring zeal. Neelam, also involved with the Assam Agricultural University, towards research based propagation of efficient agricultural practices, is also a well-known consultant in India in the organic agriculture domain.
In an exclusive interview, the progressive farmer revealed that he has involved in organic cultivation of paddy in an area of six hectares with an annual production of approximately 22.5 tons for both indigenous and hybrid varieties. �I am also creating and preserving a paddy gene-pool of varieties � indigenous to North East India. Currently gene-pool for a total of 76 varieties indigenous to the States of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur is maintained, ensuring preservation of quality and genetic purity,� Neelam said adding that special efforts have been made to cultivate aromatic paddy varieties like �Joha�. �Ornamental fish varieties are also reared,� he said and reiterated that chemical-free processes have ensured a produce of very high quality.
He also revealed that free training camps are periodically organised on LAMP premises to train farmers and agriculture students alike in modern agricultural practices and optimisation of productivity. Highlighting his achievement in organic manure and bio-pesticide production since 2001/2002, Neelam also informed that vermicompost production has increased 10 times from 20 MT in 2005-06 to 300 MT in 2012-2013. �Capability for production of bio-pesticides like vermi-wash has also been developed in-house through a very competent team.� He also mentioned that duckery, dairy and nursery are also an integral part of the ecosystem at LAMP premises. He added that organic vegetable seed production has also been started.
Neelam Dutta who had many occasions to visit many training programmes across the country and abroad including exchange programme between the Government of India and Thailand on organic farming and agro-based industries in Thailand, training on organic farming by Assam Agricultural University, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, entrepreneurship course by Deutsche Gesellschaft for International (GIZ), World Food Prize Summer School in 2015 and to work with Sativa Seeds for 45 days in Rheinau, Switzerland on organic seed breeding has been awarded many national and international awards for his unmatched contribution towards the agricultural field including India�s best Organic Haladhar Farmer Award in 2014 by Minister of Agriculture, Government of India, �Food for the Future� Award 2013 by Balipara Foundation, National Farmers Award (Krishak Samrat)-2016 by Mahindra Group, National Farmers� Award (Harit Award) by the All India Agriculture Students� Association, and Ambassadors Grant 2016-17 from ETH University , Zurich.
Peggy Carswell, a 64-year-old lady and a resident of Canada, who has been active in Assam, since the last 17 years, transforming the lives of thousands of people by inspiring them to use organic and sustainable farming techniques, speaking about Neelam Dutta and his farm Pabhoi Green said that one should follow him as an ideal. �The soil of Assam has an unmatched potential for every possible agricultural activity. If Neelam can do it why not others, I think if everybody gives priority in this venture, Assam will be the richest region in India thereby being able to compete with the other parts of the world,� Peggy said.
Neelam Dutta also provides organic farming consultancy to Mcleod Russel, Luxmi Tea, WWF, Aaranyak, Tata Trust, WTI etc.