Climate Change Overpowers Irrigation? What Assam Agri Minister Says

While parts of Assam are reeling under drought-like conditions during the peak paddy cultivation season, the demand for timely and robust irrigation support is growing louder. With farmers still largely dependent on monsoon rains, a disruption like this leaves many in distress and uncertainty.

Addressing the issue, Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora on Saturday termed climate change as a major contributing factor. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Bora acknowledged the growing concerns of farmers and assured that the state government is closely monitoring the evolving situation.

“Climate change is a major challenge for us. Several districts in Assam are already facing drought-like conditions,” Bora said.

While irrigation is handled by a separate department, Bora clarified that the Agriculture Department is also rolling out small-scale irrigation measures. Under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, irrigation techniques can be applied to approximately 5.56 lakh hectares of agricultural land across the state. Additionally, the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) is covering another 1.5 lakh hectares.

“So far, we’ve distributed 72,000 Shallow Tube Wells (STWs) to assist farmers,” the minister added.

Bora said these initiatives were recently taken up in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “We are already dealing with the consequences of climate change, and now drought is adding to the burden on our farmers,” he said.

Referring to his recent visit to Bajali district, Bora said he witnessed firsthand how many farmers had been unable to begin cultivation due to a lack of rainfall. “At a time when farmers should have been planting crops and engaging in peak agricultural activities, they are instead facing hardship,” he noted.

While acknowledging that some irrigation projects are not functioning optimally, Bora said Chief Minister Sarma has assured that the government will focus more attention on the Irrigation Department to strengthen drought-resilience.

Bora also informed that he will meet Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday to discuss the situation in detail.

He further revealed that six districts in Assam have been severely affected, and the government has decided to distribute seeds to farmers in each of these districts to help them recover from crop losses. “I’ve already instructed leadership to monitor the situation closely to ensure that distribution and relief efforts are not hampered,” Bora added.

The Agriculture Minister also confirmed that the matter was discussed with the Chief Minister and that field assessments have been directed in the affected areas.

Also Read: Drought and Failed Irrigation Hit Farmers Hard in Chirang & Tamarhat