The Assam government is preparing a comprehensive recovery plan for farmers in flood-affected Sivasagar district, with a focus on promoting alternative cultivation and providing agricultural assistance to families whose crops have been devastated by the recent floods.
Speaking at a press briefing, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika said the Agriculture and Irrigation departments have been directed to assess the extent of crop damage and identify suitable farming options for cultivators who may not be able to grow paddy during the current season.
According to the minister, the floods have impacted nearly one lakh families across Sivasagar, while agricultural land and standing crops belonging to around 60,000 farming households have suffered extensive damage.
To support the recovery of the farming community, the state government has initiated arrangements to distribute paddy seeds and seedlings wherever cultivation remains possible. However, officials acknowledge that many inundated fields may not be suitable for paddy this season, prompting the government to explore alternative crops that can help farmers generate income.
As part of the rehabilitation strategy, the government is also considering the distribution of fruit saplings to affected farmers. Preparations are simultaneously underway to encourage and support rabi cultivation once conditions improve, allowing farmers to resume agricultural activities in the next cropping cycle.
A detailed field survey will soon be carried out to determine the scale of agricultural losses and prepare an official list of eligible beneficiaries. The assessment will form the basis for providing relief and rehabilitation assistance to affected farming families.
The proposed initiatives are aimed at restoring rural livelihoods, reducing the financial burden caused by flood-related crop losses, and helping farmers rebuild their agricultural activities in one of Assam’s worst-hit districts.
