Under the exemplary leadership of Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state has witnessed transformative policies aimed at uplifting the farming community. His commitment to doubling farmers’ income has been evident through initiatives such as the dedicated paddy procurement drives launched in 2021-22 and Mustard Procurement launched in 2023. These efforts reflect his vision for agricultural prosperity and play a critical role in ensuring economic stability for thousands of farmers across the state.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) Hike for Farmers
A significant highlight of the Chief Minister’s policies has been the steady increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy, providing much-needed financial security to farmers. The MSP rose from Rs 1,868 per quintal in 2020-21 to Rs 2,300 per quintal in 2024-25, signalling the government’s unwavering focus on improving the economic conditions of the farming community. This strategic move has enhanced farmers’ confidence while incentivising higher productivity, fostering a sustainable future for the agricultural sector.
Impressive Paddy Procurement Milestones
The government’s proactive approach to paddy procurement has ensured robust support for farmers. Procurement figures have remained significant, with 5,65,639.35 MT of paddy purchased in 2021-22 and 5,98,127 MT in 2022-23. Although procurement dropped to 2,17,330.12 MT during the 2023-24 season (December to March), the involvement of over 60,000 farmer beneficiaries annually highlights the inclusiveness and impact of these initiatives.
Multi-Agency Collaboration for Procurement
The Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 involves a collaborative effort between four key agencies—AFCSCL, ASAMB, FCI, and NAFED—targeting a combined procurement of 5,71,500 MT of paddy. Each agency has specific targets, with AFCSCL leading with 4,09,000 MT. This coordinated approach underscores the government’s dedication to ensuring an efficient and inclusive procurement process.
Extensive Procurement Network
To facilitate smooth procurement operations, 163 centres have been established across the state, including 115 managed by AFCSCL, 23 by FCI, 20 by NAFED, and five by ASAMB. These centres ensure accessibility and transparency for farmers, further strengthening the procurement ecosystem and reaffirming the government’s commitment to grassroots development.
Mustard Procurement: New Initiative
The Government of Assam has been actively involved in mustard procurement under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) to ensure fair remuneration for farmers and stabilise the agricultural market. During the Rabi season 2023, mustard procurement was initiated at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,450 per quintal. The procurement began on May 29, 2023, and continued until August 26 2023, extending to September 15 2023. Within this period, 3,306 metric tons (MT) of mustard was procured from 1,070 farmers, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting agricultural producers.
For the Rabi season 2024, the MSP was increased to Rs 5,650 per quintal, and procurement commenced on March 15 2024. The procurement window is scheduled to last until June 15 2024, with a possibility of further extension. By May 10 2024, the government had procured 5,203 MT of mustard from 1,736 farmers, showcasing a significant rise in participation and output compared to the previous season. These efforts underscore Assam’s dedication to fostering agricultural growth and providing mustard growers nationwide with a stable income.
Boosting Livestock Productivity and Supporting Cattle Rearers
Several initiatives have been launched to enhance cattle population and productivity. In FY 2022-23, 1.16 lakh doses of sex-sorted semen were procured to ensure the birth of high-yielding female calves. Over the next four years, 1.28 lakh genetically superior cattle will be produced. Financial support worth Rs 384 crore is planned over seven years, with each adult cow valued at Rs 30,000. Additionally, 75,000 cattle rearers will benefit from targeted programs costing Rs 31.39 crore. These measures aim to strengthen the livestock sector, improve rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Government Assistance for Livestock Farmers
The government has made significant strides in supporting livestock farmers, particularly in the dairy sector, with various financial provisions aimed at improving production and ensuring sustainability for farmers.
A total provision of Rs 25 crore has been allocated to the subsidy fund, which aims to provide financial relief and assistance to livestock farmers. This subsidy will be pivotal in encouraging farmers to invest in advanced agricultural practices, improve livestock management, and increase overall productivity.
In addition to the subsidy, Rs 10 crore has been extended as equity participation in North East Dairy and Foods Ltd (NEDFL). This financial commitment is designed to strengthen the dairy sector in the northeastern region by enhancing the capacity of NEDFL to support local dairy farmers. Through this initiative, the government aims to promote dairy farming in the region, ensuring better livelihoods and boosting local economies.
North East Dairy and Foods Ltd (NEDFL) has also provided high-yield cows to farmers to augment milk production. These cows are bred to produce higher quantities of milk, thus increasing the income of farmers and ensuring a steady supply of milk to meet the growing demand in the region.
Further bolstering the dairy industry, Rs 12.34 crore has been allocated as seed money for 144 dairy cooperatives, benefiting around 4,500 dairy farmers. This allocation will aid in establishing and developing dairy cooperatives, enabling farmers to pool their resources, enhance productivity, and achieve better market access. Through this initiative, the government is fostering collaboration and community-driven efforts among dairy farmers, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the dairy sector in the region.
Assistance for Piggery Farmers
The government is offering a comprehensive support package to enhance scientific piggery farming in the state. This initiative includes capital subsidies combined with loans to aid up to 2 lakh piggery farmers to achieve an annual pig production target of 20 lahks within the next five years. In addition to financial support, the program aims to establish 25 farmer-producer groups in the piggery sector, fostering collaboration and improving production efficiency. This initiative will boost the local piggery industry and contribute to rural development and employment opportunities.
Initiative for Egg Production
The government has launched an initiative to support 281 entrepreneurs in setting up poultry farms across the state, focusing on increasing egg production. The program targets the production of 50 lakh eggs through specialised layer farms. This strategic move will boost the local poultry industry and reduce reliance on external sources. With this initiative, the government aims to achieve self-sufficiency in egg production within the next five years, fostering economic growth and enhancing food security in the region.
The visionary leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma continues to inspire trust and hope among the of Assam. His focus on empowering grassroots stakeholders and implementing inclusive policies has set the state toward agricultural excellence and economic progress, benefiting the farming community and the broader economy.
