Unemployment can never be an issue in countries which give importance to agriculture. The combination of the usage of advanced technology along with traditional agricultural practices can herald agriculture-led economic revolution in any country. It can happen in Assam, too, As a riverine State, Assam’s soil is fertile and water sources are plenty. All that is needed is planning.
In the last five years, initiatives started in Assam’s agriculture sector like Kanyaka and Garukhuti are drawing attention. By encouraging the cultivation of exotic fruits like Thai melon, apple melon, dragon fruit, strawberry, litchi, banana, pineapple, etc., these projects have become catalysts in making hundreds of youth self-reliant.
The high quality local products of Garukhuti and Kanyaka projects have received good responses not only in Assam but across India. Those days when Assam had to depend on other States for meat, eggs, milk and sweets during popular festivals like Puja, Bihu, etc., will be history soon.
Agreed, it may not be possible to cultivate thousands of bighas of land simultaneously across the State. Hence, implementation of small scale projects of 50 to 100 bighas on the lines of Kanyaka and Garukhuti projects will provide adequate opportunities for the youths to become atma nirbhar while contributing to the State’s economy. It is then that we will be able to realise the dream of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma to make Assam among the top five States of the country.
Gopal Jalan
108, MG Road, Fancy Bazar, Guwahati
