Calling on the educated unemployed youth of the State to vigorously engage in agriculture and cattle rearing to lay the foundation of a self sustainable rural economy, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said that milk production cooperatives can boost the rural economy and open up avenues of employment. According to anews report in Assam Tribune online, the Chief Minister made the statement while taking part as the chief guest in the 59th foundation day celebration programme of Sitajakhala Dugdha Utpadak Samabai Samiti Limited at Sitajakhala, Jagiroad in Morigaon district today.
Saying that cow rearing has always been an integral part of the rural Assamese society and traditions like Goru Bihu during Rongali Bihu festivities underline the importance of cattle in Assamese households, Sonowal urged the youth of the State to become agricultural entrepreneurs by engaging in dairy farming and bring a ‘white revolution’ in the State. Citing the example of cooperative society in Anand, Gujarat which produces the milk brand Amul, Sonowal said Amul showed how dedication and scientific approach in milk production can bring social transformation to a region.
Appreciating the role of Sitajakhala Milk Producers’ Cooperative in giving employment to the local youths of the area and also sustaining a economically viable cooperative module which is an ideal for all others aspiring cooperative societies in the State, Sonowal announced that a veterinary hospital would be opened at Sitajakhala which has been long felt of need of area to take care of the cattle population there and he asked Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University KM Bujarbarua, who was also present in the meeting, to prepare necessary action plan in this regard.
Stating that the government is fully committed to the cause of the farmers of the State and foundation laying of Indian Agricultural Research Institute at Gogamukh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month indicated that the Central Government is extending all possible cooperation to develop the agriculture sector of the State, Sonowal said that the State has all the potential to become one of the top agricultural States in the country but motivation of the youth and proper planning is needed for that to happen.
The Chief Minister also felicitated two young model agriculturalists and cattle farmers of the State in today’s programme and said that many such educated youths need to come forward to generate employment through agriculture and bring economic development. He also ceremonially distributed land pattas to few landless indigenous farmers of Morigaon district and said that government is going to act on its promise of providing patta to all indigenous people of the State in a phased manner.
Saying that Chief Minister’s Samagra Garmya Unnayan Yojna (CMSGUY) envisages developing twenty thousand villages and bring economic benefit to all villagers of the State and Central schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) also aim to give renewed impetus to agricultural sector of the State. He also urged the people to keep a strict watch over the right implementation of these schemes so that no lapses can remain.
Saying that cow rearing can help in producing manure for organic farming, Sonowal stated that the government’s vision to make the State an organic hub would be realised through the people’s cooperation and he urged the youth not look for easy ways to earn money but to put in hard work so that development can be achieved in the real sense.
MP RP Sharma, Legal Adviser to the Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali, Chairman ATDC Jayanta Malla Barua, MLAs Pijush Hazarika and Ramakanta Deuri, DC Morigaon Hemen Das were also present on the occasion.
