Pijush Hazarika calls for region-specific crop transformation

Guwahati: Agriculture minister Pijush Hazarika advocated for region-specific crop transformation at an interface meeting organised by Assam Agricultural University (AAU).Held at the Assam Administrative Staff College and jointly organised by AAU and the agriculture department, the meeting focused on strengthening Assam’s rural economy through sustainable agriculture.Hazarika said India exports billions of dollars’ worth of tea, meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, but Assam’s share remains low and needs urgent improvement. He flagged the economic burden of importing pulses and edible oils, and called for scaling up production to achieve self-sufficiency in eggs, fish, poultry and pork, reducing dependence on other states.

“Assam must shift from traditional paddy to high-value horticulture to exponentially drive up farmer incomes,” Hazarika added.The forum brought together scientists, academicians, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, NABARD representatives and officials from fisheries, irrigation, veterinary and animal husbandry, horticulture, and sericulture to coordinate modernisation measures.