Guwahati, July 22: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday expressed serious concern over the dual blow of floods and drought impacting farmers in Assam and announced a series of urgent measures — including a personal visit to the state, fast-tracking crop variety approvals, and extending organic farming support.
In a high-level meeting with Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora at Krishi Bhawan on July 21 in New Delhi, Chouhan said the Centre stands in full solidarity with the state’s farmers facing natural calamities. “We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of Assam. We understand their hardships and will take concrete measures to provide relief,” he said.
Assam government has given in-principle approval to treat drought as a state-specific disaster, enabling financial assistance to affected farmers under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The drought threat looms large over monsoon-dependent sali crops, with rainfall data showing alarming deficits.
The Union Minister said he would soon visit flood-affected areas in Assam to personally assess the damage. While several districts have been reeling from floodwaters, others are facing acute drought, Bora informed the meeting.
Responding swiftly, Chouhan directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to notify suitable varieties of rajma, masoor (lentil), arhar (pigeon pea), sunflower, garlic, onion, and fodder maize tailored to Assam’s agro-climatic conditions. He also approved a one-year extension of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) in Assam to support organic farmers.
In a move aimed at widening access to crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Chouhan directed a relaxation of the mandatory Digital Farmer Registry requirement for affected regions.
The meetings were attended by senior officials from the Union Ministry, ICAR, and Assam’s agriculture department.
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