GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched the distribution of Soil Health Cards (SHC) to over four lakh farmers across the state. Speaking to the media at the official event, Sarma announced that the government plans to distribute around 10 lakh SHCs, with four lakh already prepared for distribution.
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“Our Krishak Bandhus (farmer friends) are pivotal to our vision of building an Atmanirbhar Assam. Today, I am dedicating multiple initiatives to benefit our farmers,” Sarma said. He also stated that the number of soil testing laboratories in the state has increased from five to 26, enhancing the state's agricultural capabilities.
In addition to the SHC distribution, the event saw the handover of agricultural machinery to farmers, and the inauguration of agriculture knowledge centres by the chief minister, alongside Agriculture Minister Atul Bora. Sarma further mentioned that the state is establishing 816 village agriculture equipment banks, up from the previous 80, to assist farmers with modern tools.
As part of the government's efforts to support the agricultural sector, 96 agriculture knowledge centres and 93 agriculture development offices are also being set up across the state.