Agri Dept must be one of the best depts of the government in the next 5 years: Assam CM

Guwahati, September 10 (NKTV): Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today reviewed various schemes implemented by Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing Department at Directorate of Agriculture. The Chief Minister directed that Agriculture Department must be proactive in getting closer to the farmers and facilitating use of latest farming technology while providing better market linkage to the farmers. Being an agrarian state, agriculture has to be the primary driver of the economy and Agriculture Department must be one of the best departments of the government in the next 5 years, he said.

In today’s meeting, the Chief Minister directed to fill up vacant posts in the Agriculture Department at an early date along with taking steps for initiating the due promotions of officials. For recruitment purpose, a special cell was directed to be constituted. He also asked to create required posts of executive engineers for augmenting the functioning of the Department.

He also directed to maintain an asset register for the Department to keep track of assets in various field offices of the Department while creating a ‘permanent asset portal’ within 15 days which will be updated every year. Moreover, he also directed to set up a seed portal for proper seed procurement and distribution.

Implementation of national schemes like PM-KISHAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojna, Krishi Sinchai Yojna etc was also reviewed in the meeting while discussing about ways to start an integrated fertilizer distribution system within 3 months to provide fertilisers at right price to the farmers.

He also directed to prepare a plan for optimum utilization of funds under various Central Government schemes. One Programme Officer, Accounts Officer and Media Expert to be recruited in every District Agriculture Office for the purpose. 

The Chief Minister also directed to organize an interactive session of horticulturists of the state for developing the sector. Agriculture University was asked to conduct a study on rampant usage of fertilizer, pesticides etc by farmers in various parts of the State while undertaking sample testing. He also directed to activate seed farms under Agriculture Department and Assam Seed Corporation for producing quality seeds.

Directorate of Agriculture in presence of Minister Atul Bora, MLA Jayanta Malla Barua, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Samir Kumar Sinha and senior officers of Agriculture Department were present in today’s programme.