From Our Kokrajhar Bureau
Kokrajhar(Assam), Feb 26: With an aim of promote modern techniques and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income, the district administration, Chirang, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chirang and Regional Agriculture Research Center, Lakhimpur jointly organized a One-Day Krishi Mela here at Chirang Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) premises on Tuesday.
Assam minister for Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes and Tourism Chandan Brahma inaugurated the Krishi Mela and inspected various stalls put up by the allied departments like KVK, Agriculture, Banks, Handloom and Textile, Fishery, Panchayat and Rural Development, Sericulture Soil Conservation, Veterinary development etc.
In the programme, Dr. Kameswar Das, Chief Scientist, KVK, Chirang, Dr. Dhiren Chaudhury, Principal Scientist, Assam Agriculture University, Lakhimpur, Dr. Madhusmita Borthakur, Asstt. Prof, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, Dr. Sunil Paul, Chief Scientist, RARS, Gossaigaon, Dr. Jogesh Deori, Director, Sericulture, BTC and over five hundred progressive farmers were participated in the programme.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, minister Brahma said the present state and central government were committed to doubling the income of farmers by 2022 as they had been doing everything for enhancing the income of farmers by implementing various agriculture based schemes.
He lauded the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, the district administration and other line departments for organizing the Krishi Mela at Chirang.
He appealed to the farmers to come forward and avail the benefits of various subsidy schemes offered by the government and to be open to adopt new technologies in the field so that production can be boosted with the ultimate aim to usher in a new green revolution in the district.
While delivering his inaugural speech Deputy Commissioner Gautam Talukdar informed that one of the main aims of holding such Krishi Mela in the district was to encourage the progressive farmers to take up new agricultural ventures which can prove profitable for them. He mentioned that most of the farmers of the region do not have Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) which as per the instructions of the central government under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- KISAN) every farmer should have their KC Cards and is necessary for availing various schemes from the government.
He urged all the officials of the district to help and guide any persons especially farmers with any official paper works and formalities so that they can avail the schemes to increase their production as well as to enhance their income generation in future.
“A total 67,533 farmers have already been received financial assistance under PM- KISAN in the district”, he further informed.
Discussions related to various topics such as cash-crop farming, scientific poultry farming and pig rearing, preservation of fruits and other crops, floriculture practice, integrated fish farming, kitchen gardening, mushroom cultivation and marketing, Muga and Eri rearing, loans for farmers, organic farming, among others were held during the mela.
Various allied departments such as Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Industries and Commerce, Sericulture, Handloom and Textiles, Fisheries and banks took part in the One-day Krishi Mela.