Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, June 16: Assam Irrigation and Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika on Tuesday met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi, seeking enhanced Central support for strengthening irrigation infrastructure and agricultural development in the state.
During his meeting with Patil, Hazarika highlighted Assam’s irrigation potential owing to the Brahmaputra river system and its extensive network of tributaries.
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He informed the Union minister that Assam has irrigation potential covering nearly 2.7 million hectares of agricultural land, but only around 700,000 hectares are currently covered under existing irrigation schemes.
The two leaders discussed measures to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and expand irrigation coverage in line with the Centre’s “Har Khet Ko Pani” initiative. Hazarika also stressed the need for greater investment and coordinated efforts to utilise the state’s water resources for improving agricultural productivity.
Patil acknowledged Assam’s potential in the irrigation sector and assured support from the Centre for the development and modernisation of irrigation facilities in the state.
Later, Hazarika met Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and briefed him on the status of Assam’s agriculture sector, ongoing government initiatives and the state’s development priorities.
The minister also outlined measures aimed at enhancing farm productivity, strengthening rural livelihoods and improving farmers’ welfare.
During the discussions, Chouhan assured the Assam government of the Centre’s cooperation in implementing schemes and programmes for the development of the agriculture sector and the welfare of farmers. The meetings focused on expanding irrigation coverage, strengthening agricultural infrastructure and enhancing Centre-state coordination to support the growth of Assam’s agriculture sector.
