Assam is planning a major expansion of its horticulture sector, with the state government aiming to distribute 25 crore high-value fruit saplings to farmers over the next five years, Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika announced on Sunday.
The initiative is expected to promote commercially viable fruit cultivation and create additional income opportunities for farmers across the state. Under the proposed plan, around five crore saplings would be distributed every year.
Hazarika made the announcement while addressing the 79th Foundation Day celebration of the College of Agriculture under Assam Agricultural University (AAU) at the university’s main campus.
The minister asked AAU scientists to identify suitable high-value and high-yielding fruit varieties that could be included in the distribution programme. He directed the university to prepare a list of at least 20 to 25 recommended varieties and submit it to the Agriculture Department within a month.
Hazarika also called for greater efforts to encourage young people to take up agriculture and related entrepreneurial activities. He urged AAU to conduct awareness programmes and workshops across colleges in Assam to familiarise students with modern farming techniques and high-yield crops.
The minister proposed that AAU organise 50 such workshops across colleges and assured government support for the initiative. He also said an agreement with the Education Department would be pursued to facilitate the programme.
Encouraging students to view farming as a viable career option, Hazarika said agriculture could provide substantial economic opportunities if young people applied scientific knowledge and modern techniques. He noted that a large share of Assam’s population remains dependent on agriculture, while government employment opportunities are comparatively limited.
He cited horticulture as one area with significant earning potential, stating that a properly managed fruit garden spread over five bighas could potentially generate annual income of around Rs 20 lakh.
The minister also highlighted the potential of foxnut, or makhana, cultivation in Assam. Referring to a recent visit to a makhana farm in Darrang district, he said a youth-led NGO had successfully taken up the crop and demonstrated its commercial prospects.
According to Hazarika, makhana cultivation could be particularly useful in wetland areas, while the crop may also be less vulnerable to some of the problems faced by conventional farming, including damage from animals, pests and floods. He said AAU’s Vice Chancellor had informed him that around two lakh hectares of wetlands in Assam could potentially be suitable for makhana cultivation.
The minister also unveiled a coffee table book during the Foundation Day programme. The foundation lecture was delivered by Professor Arupjyoti Choudhury, Vice Chancellor of Madhavdev University, Narayanpur, Lakhimpur.
AAU Vice Chancellor Dr Dipjyoti Rajkhowa presented an overview of the university’s activities and achievements, while Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Dr PK Pathak delivered the welcome address.
Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLAs from Jorhat, Mariani and Titabar, AAU Registrar Damodar Barman and other university officials attended the programme.
