Assam to Distribute 25 Crore Fruit Saplings in Five Years

Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika has announced a plan to distribute 25 crore high-value fruit saplings to farmers over the next five years, with a target of five crore saplings annually. Speaking at the 79th Foundation Day of the College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Hazarika asked AAU scientists to recommend 20-25 high-yielding fruit varieties for the programme.

Hazarika also called for greater youth participation in agriculture and urged AAU to organise 50 workshops across colleges to promote modern farming. He highlighted the potential of makhana cultivation in Assam’s wetlands and said around two lakh hectares could be suitable for the crop. The minister also encouraged students to consider farming and horticulture as viable income-generating opportunities.