Climate Change, Fertility Loss & Population Growth Challenges Assam’s Farming Sector: says Minister

Bora stated that the government is taking number of initiatives to reduce the effects of these challenges in response to a discussion of his department in the assembly.

"We wish Assam to feature among the top five states of India and agriculture will play a pivotal role in accomplishing that. "Farming employs more than 70% of the state's population and accounts for 20% of GDP," he said.

Assam has 27.42 lakh agriculture families, with only 0.14 percent being "big farmers," according to Bora.

"We have undertaken a number of initiatives to assist farmers. "Many reforms have been initiated, as well as the formation of an agriculture commission," the minister stated.

Bora, on the other hand, stated that his department is experiencing a manpower shortage and that the process of recruiting new employees is underway.

"In recent times, we have seen educated, new-generation youths getting involved in the agriculture sector. "This trend accelerated following the pandemic," he said.

Bora stated that funds have been allocated to develop markets throughout the state, and that over Rs 4,000 crore in agricultural goods were exported from Assam in 2022-23.

"Rice, pulses, and corn production have increased. We are concentrating on corn production along the Brahmaputra Valley... "Assam is also becoming self-sufficient in paddy seed production," he added.

Bora stated in a written response to Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed's question that agriculture land in Assam has risen to 30,82,815 hectares in 2020-21 from 30,76,909 hectares in 2019-20.