Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday (September 10) reviewed various schemes implemented by Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing Department at Directorate of Agriculture.
In the meeting, CM Sarma directed the Agriculture department to fill up vacant posts in the Department at an early date along with taking steps for initiating the due promotions of officials.
For recruitment purpose, a special cell was directed to be constituted.
He also asked to create required posts of executive engineers for augmenting the functioning of the Department.
The Chief Minister also directed that Agriculture Department must be proactive in getting closer to the farmers and facilitating use of latest farming technology while providing better market linkage to the farmers.
“Being an agrarian state, agriculture has to be the primary driver of the economy and Agriculture Department must be one of the best departments of the government in the next 5 years,” he said.
At a review meeting of agri & allied activities & schemes at Directorate of Agriculture, I advised officials to ensure best tech & market linkages for farmers. Spelt out a series of action to create enabling ecosystem for holistic growth of agri sector.@ATULBORA2 @jayanta_malla pic.twitter.com/XckmYNa5hv
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 10, 2021
CM Sarma also directed to maintain an asset register for the Department to keep track of assets in various field offices of the Department while creating a ‘permanent asset portal’ within 15 days which will be updated every year. Moreover, he also directed to set up a seed portal for proper seed procurement and distribution.
Implementation of national schemes like PM-KISHAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojna, Krishi Sinchai Yojna etc was also reviewed in the meeting while discussing about ways to start an integrated fertilizer distribution system within 3 months to provide fertilisers at right price to the farmers, an official release said.
The Chief Minister also directed to prepare a plan for optimum utilization of funds under various Central Government schemes. One Programme Officer, Accounts Officer and Media Expert to be recruited in every District Agriculture Office for the purpose.
The Chief Minister also directed to organize an interactive session of horticulturists of the state for developing the sector. Agriculture University was asked to conduct a study on rampant usage of fertilizer, pesticides etc by farmers in various parts of the State while undertaking sample testing.
He also directed to activate seed farms under Agriculture Department and Assam Seed Corporation for producing quality seeds.
Minister Atul Bora, MLA Jayanta Malla Barua and other senior officials were present in the meeting.
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