GUWAHATI, Feb 26 � The Agriculture department, government of Assam has decided to undertake a slew of measures to address the grievances of farmers, including ensuring a fair price for their produce.
Addressing mediapersons here on Thursday, Agriculture minister Rockybul Hussain said that one of the major issues that the farmers complain about is being deprived of the due price for their produce. The minister announced that in the next 15 days the department will purchase the produce at the source and will sell the same in the capital city. This experimental initiative will be later expanded to different parts of the State.
�This will give the farmers a fair price and for the consumers too this will be advantageous as they will get what they want at a reasonable price,� said Hussain.
The department will buy vegetables from points such as Kharupetia, Boko, Barpeta Road etc., and sell the bulk at different markets in Guwahati. The markets are Beltola, Chandmari, Ganeshguri, Sixmile, Maligaon, Fancy Bazar and Narengi.
On the other hand, Hussain also assured that the department will provide minimum support price to the farmers taking up onion cultivation and set up low cost storage facilities.
�We also get complains about farmers not getting seeds on time. We have taken up the necessary steps to address this problem,� Hussain giving assurance said that potato seeds will be distributed to the farmers between October 1 to 15.
The minister said that to stop any malpractice in procuring and distribution of potato seeds, the department will sign memorandum of understanding only with certified seed providers and that all measures would be taken at the district level to stop any anomalies in distribution.
�We have set up a toll free number 18003453753 for the farmers. If they face problem in getting KCC, they can call up this number,� mentioned Hussain observing that farmers are not getting enough loans from the banks and warned that if the situation does not improve the government will have business deals with those banks only that are farmer-friendly.
On March 15, a scheme to encourage double cropping and named after Momai Tamuli Barborua will be launched in the State. Two hundred sites have been selected where the government will provide help like electric pumps and water to undertake double-cropping in 7.5-bigha land plots. The department will also provide help in harvesting and selling of the produce.
