TEZPUR, May 29 - Laying stress on the commercialisation of the agricultural sector of the State, the Vice-Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Kamal Malla Bujarbaruah, said that for the uplift of the farmers and the agricultural sector of the State, the AAU has been urging the Central Government to establish a national-level agricultural research centre in Assam.
The noted scientist who was addressing a mammoth gathering at an awareness programme on a farmers� insurance scheme christened �Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna� organised by the Napam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK, Napam) under Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat on Saturday, further said that despite having massive potential, due to various constraints farmers cannot prosper in Assam. �We feel it happens only because of non-awareness regarding various projects adopted by the agencies concerned including the agricultural department. We will have to make our farmers skilled and conscious about every issue,� he said.
Citing the history of the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides in agriculture, he said that when the Indian people were in starvation during nineties and had to feed themselves by food supplied by countries like the USA, the Indian farmers started a green revolution using chemical fertilisers in their agricultural fields. �However, today we have become aware of the merits and demerits of these fertilisers. Chemical fertilisers are being replaced today by organic ones as along with the development in the agricultural fields, we will have to be conscious about our health,� he maintained. He also said that for taking forward the agricultural sector of the State, already a mega project has been submitted to the Niti Ayog.
�Rs 20,000 crore has already been allotted for the agricultural development of the country and out of this fund, if at least Rs 500 crore is earmarked for Assam, it will reach a stupendous state in the agricultural field,� he maintained. Saying that commercialisation of agriculture is a must for its development, the noted academician also stated that involvement of all concerned in the agricultural field will give more mileage to the sector.
Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of the programme, Dr Bujarbaruah said that he is hopeful that the new Assam Government will give priority in taking forward the agricultural sector as the Agricultural Minister is much energetic. �In joint venture with the agricultural department and it�s wings like fishery, animal husbandry, power, veterinary, soil conservation, forest, banks etc., a �agri-cabinet� may be formed,� he opined.
Tezpur MP, RP Sharma speaking on the occasion spoke on the importance of organic farming. He said that States like Haryana and Punjab have been facing serious threat of dreaded disease like cancer because of excessive use of chemical fertilisers in their fields to increase the yield. �So, we the people of a cancer-prone State like Assam, are to be much more alert in this case. Since we have enough potential in the field of organic farming, we should take its advantage and provide a healthy society by adopting organic farming,� he said adding that bio-diversity of the region is to be maintained for keeping the region ecologically balanced.
The Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, Laya Madduri also spoke on the occasion and emphasised on the importance of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and its benefit for the farmers. She said that the farmers are to be made aware of various schemes of the agricultural department including financial assistance by the banks and agricultural insurance policies especially for the farmers. �If a positive initiative is taken up, the Sonitpur district will top among all the districts of the state in case of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna,� she said.
Earlier, giving the keynote address, Director, ATARI Zone -III- ICAR, Dr Bidyut Chandra Deka said that the Central Government is taking certain major initiatives to take the agricultural sector forward. As a part of this initiative, under the guidance of the Centre, the agricultural department is trying give a new mood to the farmers. �Our farmers often suffer from natural calamities like droughts, floods etc., losing their harvest and ultimately become helpless. Through this scheme (PMFBY) they will be relieved. They will have the facility of insurance against their crops and agri-activity,� he stated. The programme coordinator, KVK, Napam, Dr Pramod Chandra Deka in his welcome address besides expressing his gratitude towards the dignitaries for extending every possible help in making the programme a grand success, urged the participants, particularly the farmers, hailing from different areas of the district, to be more active in getting involved in every project of the department. The programme was conducted by Scientist, KVK, Napam, Anjan Sharma. In the programme the Soil Health Cards were distributed among the farmers and various agricultural products were also exhibited in about 40 stalls set up in the campus of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
