Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has praised the role of Assam Agricultural University in contributing towards the rural economy of Assam. Inaugurating two separate programmes in Jorhat and Guwahati on August 16 and 17 respectively, to mark the 75th anniversary celebration of the two colleges under the Assam Agriculture University, Dr. Sarma lauded the AAU for its contribution towards the growth of the State’s agricultural economy.
The Chief Minister launched four projects at the AAU campus in Jorhat while appreciating it for a massive improvement in its ranking in the National Institute Ranking Framework.
He stated that owing to the achievements of AAU in the field of agricultural research, people and institutions from far and wide have started to take note of it. He said initiatives such as preservation and improvement of indigenous species of fishes and ‘muga’ detection kit by AAU would go a long way in strengthening the State’s agricultural economy.
Dr. Sarma said agricultural research should be used in such a way that apart from promoting food security, it is able to contribute towards the welfare of farmers while focusing on promotion and conservation of biodiversity
Dr. Sarma said that any discussion and strategy on food security needs to focus on three components of availability of food resources, greater production of food resources and universal ability to purchase food resources. He said that agricultural practices in modern times need to make extensive uses of artificial intelligence, environment-friendly technology, high-yielding varieties of seeds, among others.
Dr. Sarma inaugurated an organic manure and pesticides unit besides an international guest house built at a total cost of ₹ 31 cr in the AAU’s Jorhat campus.
On August 17, during the closing ceremony of the platinum jubilee, he inaugurated an international guest house of Assam Agricultural University located at Khanapara in Guwahati which has been constructed at a cost of ₹ 30.79 cr.
Dr. Sarma said that the College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara has managed to walk together with other institutions of higher learning dedicated to veterinary studies across the country.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for an ecosystem to unleash the State’s growth potential in poultry and allied fields. “Students of agricultural and veterinary science from Assam should focus on becoming job-creators rather than being job-seekers,” he said in his speech.
He also declared that a State health mission for the veterinary sector on the lines of the National Health Mission shall become a reality soon.
