HT Bureau
JORHAT, Sept 1: A special delegation from the Norwegian government visited Assam’s Golaghat, Sivasagar, and Jorhat districts on August 30 and 31 to observe a special project aimed at protecting agriculture and farmers in the context of climate change.
The Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) is funding the project, which is being implemented by Assam Agricultural University.
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The delegation, led by Andreas Benjamin Schei, Counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy, and Dr Udaya Sekhar Nagothu, senior research scientist and centre director at NIBIO, visited agricultural areas in Merapani (Golaghat district) and Dikhowmukh (Sivasagar district) and held discussions with local farmers.
The climate-resilient agriculture project, along with value-added inputs from the marketing team, has significantly increased farmers’ incomes. The team reviewed the fields with Dr Sanjay Kumar Chetia, chief supervisor of the project and current director of Agricultural Research at Assam Agricultural University, and former chief scientist at Assam Rice Research Institute, Titabar.
Speaking on the occasion, the Norwegian team praised the project for transforming Assam’s agricultural economy by developing and popularizing paddy varieties like Ranjit Sub 1 and Bahadur Sub 1. They also expressed satisfaction with the development of the Labanya purple rice variety, which has been exported.
The climate-resilient paddy varieties were developed under the NIBIO project.
The delegation observed various innovations related to climate-resilient technologies, including integrated disease management, integrated farming practices, field-based nutrition management, village knowledge centers, and mechanical management centers. These initiatives have helped maintain gender equality in agriculture, with 40 percent female participation.
Dr Phuleswar Nath, chief scientist at Assam Rice Research Institute, Titabar; Dr Milan Jyoti Konwar, scientist; Dr Parinda Barua, Project Associate; Madhurya Khanikar; and Prapti Bora, along with representatives from the Agricultural Science Centre, Agriculture Department, Seed Certification Agency, and Dikhowmukh College, participated in the project.
The delegates also held a review meeting chaired by AAU vice-chancellor Bidyut Chandan Deka at the vice-chancellor’s Conference Hall of Assam Agricultural University.
The event was anchored by Assam Agricultural University registrar Tapan Kumar Gohain and director of Agricultural Research Dr Sanjay Kumar Chetia. Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Dr Prasanna Kumar Pathak, director of Post Graduate Studies Dr Anup Kumar Das, dean of Community Science College Dr Mamoni Das, director of Extension Education Dr Monoranjan Neog, DBT director Dr Bidyut Kumar Sharma, heads of departments, and professors were also present.
The Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) contributes to food security and safety, sustainable resource management, innovation, and value creation through research and knowledge production in food, forestry, and other biobased industries.
