Guwahati, Feb 19 — Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that irrigation has emerged as a key driver of change in Assam’s rural economy over the past five years, as the state government steps up investment in agricultural infrastructure to reduce farmers’ dependence on erratic rainfall.
In a post on social media platform X, Sarma said the government has delivered 772 minor irrigation schemes across Assam, expanding reliable irrigation to more than 60,000 hectares of farmland. These interventions, he added, are intended to give farmers the certainty needed to move beyond single, rain-dependent crops.
“Fields that once depended solely on the monsoon are now powered by certainty. Assam’s farms are growing with confidence like never before,” Sarma wrote. According to official sources cited by the chief minister, improved irrigation coverage has enabled farmers to plan multiple cropping cycles and raise productivity.
The state has prioritised finishing long-pending projects and adopting sustainable solutions such as solar-powered irrigation systems. A major milestone spotlighted by Sarma is the completion of the Dhansiri irrigation project, which he said now supplies assured water to agricultural land in 175 villages.
Officials expect the Dhansiri project and the wider irrigation drive to benefit thousands of farmers by improving yields, supporting allied agricultural activities and generating rural employment. Authorities also say the initiatives have strengthened local water management practices, contributing to agricultural resilience over the long term.
The government says its approach emphasises accountability, timely execution and measurable impact, aligning irrigation expansion with a broader strategy to boost farmers’ incomes, promote food self-reliance and fortify Assam’s agrarian economy.
Experts quoted by the administration argue that wider irrigation coverage will help farmers adapt to climate variability and shifting rainfall patterns. Sarma reiterated the government’s commitment to building robust agricultural infrastructure so development gains reach the grassroots, underlining irrigation as a central pillar of Assam’s plan for sustainable, resilient growth.
– IANS
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/02/19/irrigation-transforming-assams-rural-economy-cm-sarma/
Category: NATIONAL,News Alert,REGIONAL
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Publish Date: 2026-02-19 21:39:00
