The Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Assam Millet Mission in the Veterinary Field of Khanapara on November 16. Along with the launching, there was the ceremonial distribution of Agricultural Machinery and virtual inauguration of 6 Soil testing and Quality Control Lab. 2 Knowledge Centres were also inaugurated by the Chief Minister. The Assam Millet Mission was conceptualised and implemented by Department of Agriculture along with Assam Agri-Business and Rural Transformation Project (APART)

The meeting was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Border Area Protection and Development, Implementation of Assam Accord Atul Bora, Minister of Water Resources, Information and Public Relations, Parliamentary Relations, Social Justice and Empowerment Pijush Hazarika, Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development, Food Civil and Consumer Affairs, General Administration and Judicial Ranjit Kumar Dass, Minister of Industries & Commerce and Public Enterprises, and Cultural Affairs; Government of Assam Bimal Bora, Minister for Welfare of Tea Tribes and Labour Welfare, Minister of Public Health Engineering, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship and Tourism Jayanta Mallabaruah among others.

Atul Bora said that Assam is the first state to launch the Assam Millet Mission. He said that it is very important for the farmers to transform the agricultural practices of the state. The Chief Minister of the state has initiated many projects for the benefit of the farmers.

He informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to double the income of farmers. The Chief Minister is actually keeping an eye on whether the provisions for farmers are applied at the ground level.

He added that 96 knowledge centres to be introduced in this event, Along with that, there will be emphasis on scientific agriculture. They are currently in discussion with Assam Agricultural University for assisting the farmers. He confirmed that with the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma the motive of improving farmers’ life will surely be realised. The Chief Minister is discussing the National Dairy Development Board to help dairy farmers in Assam to produce 10 lakh litres of milk per day.

The farmers are producing crops that are sold to the international market like Birmingham, Dubai, etc.

Bora wishes that a day will come when farmers will feel proud to introduce themselves as farmers. He called the farmers as ‘unsung heroes’ of villages. The contribution of farmers has an impact on the growth of the state’s economy.

Along with hardships the farmers also face crises due to black marketing of urea which the government of Assam is taking steps to control.

For the Millet Mission, initially 25000 hectares will be used for millet production.

The Government of Assam, along with the Millet Mission there will be important to Flower Production. The government will launch the Assam Floriculture Mission. About 135 crores will be utilised in Assam for this purpose. Bora also informed about the Assam Fodder Mission in the pipeline.

Bora said that they are more serious about helping farmers in coming up with plans so farmers need not be nature-dependent.

The Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma said that this day is a very joyful and historical day. The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets in the entire world. He reminded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on diversification of agriculture. The Prime Minister expects that with the commercialization of agriculture the income of farmers will double. He asserted that doctors value millet as it is vitamin and iron. It is good for preventing diabetes as well. So farmers should increase production of millet.

The state government is trying to work as per the advice of the United Nations. He, through this meeting, has requested the Farmer Producer Company (FPCs) and Farmer Producer Organisations to develop a good millet brand for the market.

Initially 25, 000 hectares of farmland will be utilised for millet farming. Later 50, 000 hectares will be the target. For releasing this goal, the Government of Assam has tied up with Indian Institute of Millet Research and the International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

He further discussed the importance of paddy marketing in Assam and the successes achieved, the importance of Fasal Bima Yojana and importance of being a self-sustaining state.

He recalled the opening of Cold Storage in Chayagaon recently to help the farmers. This will go a long way in helping the farmers to protect its crops from getting perished. He gave importance to the fact that Assam has made a name in the international market through its Joha Chaul, Kola Chaul, Lemon, Bhoot Jolokia. If Joha is demanded in the international market then the farmers will not have time to take rest even as it is very good to eat.

He informed that in states outside Assam there is no fencing between fields. They plant sal and sagoon trees in between the fields. If these kind of practices are followed in Assam then the farmers will be able to help each other. Along with that the produce from sal and sagoon will also give them new avenues to earn.

He further discussed the recent launching of Mission Vasundhara on November 14.

The Chief Minister commented on the Krishak Samman Nidhi that helps the farmers to earn a minimum income. He claimed that Assam has potential to go ahead of states like Punjab. We can ourselves go for our own home grown Green Revolution and White Revolution. It is in the hands of the farmers to take the state ahead.

The event was attended by above 10,000 farmers. The farmers were very delighted to attend the programme. According to APART Assam a total of 13000 farmers were supposed to attend.

Madhav Nath, a farmer from a village near Roha reached the spot at 9:30 am itself. He is satisfied that such a programme is organised. He ordered a power tiller for himself. The farmers will get 90 percent subsidy from the Government of Assam to buy agricultural implements for themselves. Nath came in a group of 25 farmers together.

A stall from Assam Agricultural University said that they have made their presence as a knowledge centre to assist the farmers in their problems. They are directing the farmers to their respective Krishi Bigyan Kendra of their respective districts.

A female farmers group however commented that the event could have been even better if it would have been disciplined.

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