GUWAHATI: For encouraging the organic farming in Assam, Kamrup Chamber of Commerce (KCC) sought withdrawal of tax on the agricultural farming. It has sought cropping on the dry lands on the River Brahmaputra.
In the pre budget meeting with the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi who is also in charge of the finance department, KCC has sought withdrawal of tax on agriculture. “This will encourage investment in this sector.”
To develop Northeast India into organic exporting zone, the Union budget has proposed Rs 100 Crore for development of commercial organic farming.
KCC sought development of cold storage in all the districts of Assam. It has pointed out that West Bengal has over 500 cold storage and in Assam there is just 17 such storage.
KCC president, M.P Jain said that the river bank of Brahmaputra becomes dry in major part in between November to March.” Contract farming can be encouraged for cultivation of perishable crop during the dry period. This land is suitable for potato cultivation.”
Assam heavily depends upon import of potato from outside the region to meet is requirement. Northeast region requires around 8000 tones of potatoes per week.