1. Department of horticulture has been able to provide a good impression for the upcoming businesses related to this field. How do you think your journey has been so far in Assam and what changes has it witnessed?

Horticulture sector comprising of fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, mushroom etc has been the gateway for multiple sectors as it provides sustainable growth within its own specified space. Integrated post harvest management, cold chain development, etc has become a viable option for many farmers and entrepreneurs of the state. The journey so far has been tremendous and full of experiences and achievements. Few of the acknowledgements are - Creation of on farm input infrastructure, development of exportable certified organic product in 10000 hectare area with crops like pineapple, red rice, ginger etc, setting up of 32 nos. of collection center with necessary agrimachineries and tools in 16 nos. of FPCs etc.

2. Assam has been a blessed hub with rich biodiversity. How do you think to take it forward and make revolutionary & progressive change in the horticulture sector?

It is indeed true and we have been experimenting a lot to utilize its   potential for better growth and productivity. One of the ways that can be stated is -  Introduction of high income generating crops like strawberry , watermelon , dragon fruit , hybrid papaya etc for commercial cultivation  and to bring remarkable change in the specified sector  . Thrust on protected cultivation to increase the production and productivity of high value horticulture crops to mitigate the climate change and get production throughout the year is another way. There are several other forethought ways to bring progressive changes in this sector and we have been giving our utmost for its successful implementation.

3. Scope of horticulture and food processing in the Northeast India for the youth is vast. What will be your steps towards for further promoting and marketing this concept?

The scope in the Horticulture sector is varied if employed in the right way.Facilitating the horticultural producers to market their product by themselves shall help in boosting their income to a greater extent.  We are further planning to develop an e-marketing platform involving an interested bank for which a 3^rd party will be engaged to develop a farmer’s friendly e-marketing portal. Marketing of organic branded products under MOVCD and a retail outlet at prime location would be very beneficial. Creation of a Panchayat VCDC wise database of growers has already been provided. We are constantly making an effort to upgrade the small horticulture nurseries providing assistance for production of quality planting.

4. How do you think the various schemes under horticulture and food processing have been able to provide suffice in terms of support to the department and its employees?

Being a potential hub in the primary sector, there are schemes that are really beneficial. Considering the low production and productivity of horticultural crops regardless of its high potentiality, Assam is primarily implementing three centrally sponsored schemes. Some of the centrally sponsored schemes are - Horticulture Mission for Northeast Himalayan States, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaye Yozana and  Rastriya Krishi Vikash Yozana  .These schemes have been helping in popularization of commercial cultivation of mushroom and related items  and setting up of 90 no’s of mushroom production unit in private sector generating  employment avenues . We are indeed hopeful that all these schemes shall help in enhancing productivity and micro irrigation technology etc.

5. How Horticulture sector can help in doubling a farmer’s income?

Horticulture sector has been a very important asset for the state in terms of productivity, livelihood and generation of better employment opportunities. As mentioned, there are various schemes truly helping many farmers to augment better way of living by doubling their income. We have even adopted various initiatives which have been able to help farmers to fulfill their needs as a whole.  Some farmers even want to upgrade from Sprinkler system to Drip system for better efficiency. This system eventually helps farmer to enhance the productivity and generate better income .We are hopeful that in post-covid situation where there are no restrictions in export of goods, farmers will be in a position to market their products in a better manner as compared to pre-covid.

6. What are the upcoming initiatives by the Directorate of Horticulture and food processing towards development?

With time, definitely doors for new opportunities will be open, growth in development and technology shall come into play. As far as our department is concerned, we have certain aspirations to bring development in this field. For the FY 2022-2023, more emphasis will be provided in value chain development of commercial horticulture crops like Assam’s Lemon and eventually product promotion event will be conducted in 4 metro cities of India that includes Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. Two nos. of supply chain for fruits of vegetables will be created in Guwahati and Jorhat covering nearby districts for consistent supply of fruits and vegetables in the city area creating a better market facility for the farmers. Expansion of area is another target that we are willing to fulfill which will be specified for dragon fruits, bercinia, and jackfruits as per the instruction of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of Assam, India. Setting up of Centre of Excellence under Indo –Israel agri project at Khetri ,Kamrup(M) has already been sanctioned by Govt. of India and preliminary work is going on . Further, more number of bamboo based poly house will be set up for production of offseason fruits and vegetables .