Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday assured Assam of continued financial and policy support for agriculture and rural development, stating that there would be no shortage of funds for the state under various central schemes.
The assurance came during a high-level meeting at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi between Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The meeting reviewed the implementation of key central schemes and discussed a range of issues related to agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, and farmer welfare in the state.
Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre remains committed to strengthening Assam’s agricultural and rural economy. He assured full support for the effective implementation of flagship schemes, including the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
During the meeting, Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal informed that technical issues affecting PMAY-G and MGNREGA systems in Assam had been resolved and that funds under MGNREGA had been allocated as per the state government’s requirements. He also announced that the proposed Vikas Bharat-Rozgar Evam Aajeevika Mission (Rural) would replace MGNREGA nationwide from July 1.
A key highlight of the discussions was Assam’s recent initiative to grant land ownership rights to tea garden workers. The Centre welcomed the move and announced the opening of a special survey window to digitally record eligible beneficiaries, enabling them to access housing benefits under PMAY-G.
Chouhan also handed over a draft Agriculture Action Plan tailored to Assam’s unique climatic and soil conditions to CM Sarma. Several decisions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods were taken during the meeting.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said that Assam has surpassed its target under the Centre’s women empowerment initiative by creating more than nine lakh “Lakhpati Didis.” Efforts will now be intensified in partnership with incubators at Assam Agricultural University to strengthen women-led enterprises and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The Centre also highlighted ongoing support under agricultural mechanisation programmes and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra briefed the Chief Minister on initiatives to provide power weeders to women farmers and expand the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in the state.
To promote protected and climate-resilient farming, the government has approved 1,500 new bamboo polyhouses in Assam this year. Infrastructure projects approved under RKVY include the construction of a pesticide testing laboratory and an edible oil testing laboratory to strengthen quality assurance in the agriculture sector.
The meeting also discussed plans to boost exports of Assam’s organic products through partnerships with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and National Cooperative Organics Limited, which will provide farmers with marketing support and access to international markets.
Biodiversity conservation and agricultural research featured prominently in the discussions. Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, said existing centres of Assam Agricultural University would be strengthened. New research programmes on spices and the state flower, Foxtail Orchid, will be undertaken in collaboration with the ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research.
The meeting also reviewed progress in the digitisation of land records in Assam, with officials reporting positive developments under the initiative.
Expressing gratitude to the Centre, CM Sarma thanked Chouhan for the continued support being extended to Assam and said the assistance would help accelerate agricultural growth and rural development across the state.
