Agriculture Department

Mandate of the Department

The main functions & responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture are : Formulation and implementation of policies and programmes aimed at achieving rapid agricultural growth through optimum utilization of land, water, soil and plant resources of the State. Implementation of beneficiary oriented schemes for economic upliftment of the farming community. Establishing farmer-department coordination in implementing and providing technological know-how to the farming community through agricultural extension services. Undertaking all possible measures to ensure timely and adequate supply of quality inputs and services such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, agricultural implements, etc. Creating assured irrigation facilities for the farmers through minor irrigation schemes so as to obtain maximum returns from their land. Popularizing the use of farmer friendly bio-fertilizers. Motivating farmers to minimize the use of pesticides and to control the environmental pollution with the adoption of Integrated Pest Management. Motivating farmers to diversify from traditional crops to commercial crops. Monitoring soil health and testing of nutrient level of soil samples collected from farmers' fields across the State. Educating farmers on soil and water conservation technologies through implementation of Watershed Projects. Undertaking measures to provide agricultural credit, crop insurance and help the farmers in getting remunerative returns for their produce. Implementing calamity (like flood, drought etc.) relief programmes. Conducting surveys for collection and maintenance of a wide range of statistical and economic data relating to agriculture, required for development planning. Helping farmers through the use of ICT applications. Economic empowerment of women Removal of rural poverty Improvement of nutritional standards and quality of life of the rural people Activities of the Department Description of the main Plans/ Programmes/ Work implemented by the Department: Brief description of the schemes indicating the main objectives, components and beneficiaries. State Priority Schemes:

The increasing demand for food grains and other crops in the State can only be achieved by adoption of the practices of multiple cropping. The adoption of practices of multiple cropping would invite adoption of mechanization of agriculture, quality inputs distribution like bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides to decrease the soil acidity. At present, Assam has a per hectare availability of farm power to the extent of 157 hp/ hectare which include both animal and manual power and it is well below the national average of about 0.80 hp/ hectare. At this juncture, farmers are in a transition stage from traditional agriculture mechanized agriculture through right initiatives, policies and direction that will surely make the state advanced. Hence, the need for creating infrastructure to support the farmers with along with quality inputs like bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides and implements for carrying out agricultural operation, Agriculture Department Government of Assam proposed to distribute Tractors at 50% subsidy to the farmers during the year 2005-06. Further, during the year, Department of Agriculture, Government of Assam took three major programmes under Priority Schemes: (1) Distribution of tractors

(2) Inputs distribution to the agriculturist having KCC to distribute Power tillers, 5 HP Diesel Pump set, 10 HP Diesel Power Thresher for paddy, Hand held Sprayers, Soil Testing Kit, Bio-fertilizer and Bio-pesticides and improved small agricultural implements (3) Establishment of Bio- Technology Institute at Assam Agricultural University Acts and Rules administered by the Department or under which the Department functions are: Seeds Act, 1966 Fertilizer (Control) Order 1985 Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (EC Act 1955) Insecticides Act, 1968 FR SR RTI Act 2005 Notifications & Circulars issued by Government from time to time. Assam Agricultural Produce Market Act 1972 (as amended up to 2006).

Activities of the Department Description of the main Plans/ Programmes/ Work implemented by the Department: Brief description of the schemes indicating the main objectives, components and beneficiaries. State Priority Schemes:

The increasing demand for food grains and other crops in the State can only be achieved by adoption of the practices of multiple cropping. The adoption of practices of multiple cropping would invite adoption of mechanization of agriculture, quality inputs distribution like bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides to decrease the soil acidity. At present, Assam has a per hectare availability of farm power to the extent of 157 hp/ hectare which include both animal and manual power and it is well below the national average of about 0.80 hp/ hectare. At this juncture, farmers are in a transition stage from traditional agriculture mechanized agriculture through right initiatives, policies and direction that will surely make the state advanced. Hence, the need for creating infrastructure to support the farmers with along with quality inputs like bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides and implements for carrying out agricultural operation, Agriculture Department Government of Assam proposed to distribute Tractors at 50% subsidy to the farmers during the year 2005-06. Further, during the year, Department of Agriculture, Government of Assam took three major programmes under Priority Schemes: (1) Distribution of tractors

(2) Inputs distribution to the agriculturist having KCC to distribute Power tillers, 5 HP Diesel Pump set, 10 HP Diesel Power Thresher for paddy, Hand held Sprayers, Soil Testing Kit, Biofertilizer and Bio-pesticides and improved small agricultural implements (3) Establishment of Bio- Technology Institute at Assam Agricultural University