Assam Aims to Bring Additional 20% of Cultivated Land Under Irrigation in Next 4.5 Years: Minister Pijush Hazarika
By Dalim Phukan
Guwahati/Assam, Oct 28 : Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Parliamentary Affairs, Pijush Hazarika, today attended a programme organised by the Sivasagar District Agriculture Department at Boarding Playground, Sivasagar, where coconut and arecanut seedlings were ceremonially distributed among flood-affected farmers of Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. The programme was attended by fellow Minister Sushanta Borgohain, MLAs Mayur Borgohain and Akhil Gogoi, along with officials of the district administration and senior officers of the Agriculture Department.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Pijush Hazarika reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting flood-affected farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector through irrigation expansion, crop diversification and horticultural development.
The Minister stated that, as per government records, irrigation coverage currently extends to approximately 21% of the cultivated land in Assam. He expressed confidence that the government would bring an additional 20% of cultivated land under irrigation over the next four and a half years, significantly enhancing agricultural productivity and reducing farmers’ dependence on rainfall.
Assuring farmers of adequate support for the upcoming Rabi season, Shri Hazarika said that sufficient seeds were available for Rabi cultivation in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. He emphasised the need to promote multiple cropping and diversify agricultural activities to improve productivity, increase farmers’ earnings and ensure sustainable livelihoods.
Highlighting the immense potential of horticulture in Assam, the Minister said that the government aims to transform Assam into a leading horticulture state over the next four and a half years. He noted that crops and produce such as dragon fruit, litchi, mango, jackfruit, apple ber and agarwood offer significant opportunities for agricultural diversification and enhanced income generation and state government wimm are providing seedlings for all these to our farmers.
The Minister further informed that, as directed by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, the government is working towards distributing five to seven lakh fruit-bearing saplings in every Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) from next year. Preparations are underway to mobilise the necessary funds to implement this initiative.
Speaking about the assistance being extended to flood-affected farmers, Shri Hazarika said that the recent floods had affected around 50,000 farmers in Sivasagar district. In keeping with the government’s commitment to their recovery, approximately 80,000 coconut seedlings and 1,60,000 arecanut seedlings are being provided to farmers in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
Across Assam, approximately 2.84 lakh coconut seedlings and eight lakh arecanut seedlings are being distributed among farmers this year. The initiative aims to promote horticultural cultivation, diversify farm-based income and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the farming community.
Later in the day, the Minister attended an awareness programme under Khet Bachao Abhiyan 2.0 at Betbari, Sivasagar, where he interacted with local farmers and urged them to adopt sustainable agricultural practices to protect soil health, maintain soil fertility and enhance agricultural productivity.
Along with Minister Sushanta Borgohain and MLA Mayur Borgohain, Shri Hazarika also planted coconut saplings at the programme, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and farmers’ welfare.
The Minister emphasised that protecting agricultural land, maintaining soil health, adopting scientific farming practices and diversifying crops are essential to building a resilient agricultural economy. He called upon farmers to make the best use of available government support and embrace improved cultivation practices for better returns.
The government remains committed to standing by farmers affected by natural calamities while taking sustained steps to expand irrigation, promote horticulture, encourage multiple cropping and create new income opportunities for Assam’s farming community.
