Assam Agriculture Minister sets Jan 15 deadline for 100% farmer registration in Dhemaji
Synopsis
Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika visited Dhemaji on 12 November and drew a hard line: 100 per cent farmer registration by 15 January or miss the window. With 83 per cent coverage and thousands of cultivators still outside formal schemes, the directive targets a gap that directly affects benefit transfers, crop insurance, and subsidy access in one of Assam's most flood-vulnerable districts.
Key Takeaways
Pijush Hazarika set a 15 January deadline for 100% farmer registration in Dhemaji district on 12 November 2026 .
Dhemaji has achieved only 83% of its farmer registration target so far.
The Minister inspected a 22-bigha integrated farm at Arnai Chapori and reviewed sunn hemp and oil palm projects.
Officials were directed to form more Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and run 'Khet Bachao' awareness programmes.
Bottlenecks under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and expansion of Makhana cultivation were also flagged.
Paddy procurement certificates were distributed to farmers during the visit.
Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika on Thursday, 12 November 2026, set a firm deadline of 15 January for achieving 100 per cent farmer registration in Dhemaji district, during a day-long field visit that combined scheme reviews with inspections of innovative farming models. The directive comes as the district has so far covered only 83 per cent of its registration target, leaving a significant share of eligible cultivators outside the formal system.
Field Inspections and Farming Models
Hazarika began his visit at Arnai Chapori, where he inspected a 22-bigha integrated farm developed by progressive farmer Bhuban Pegu. The farm follows a diversified model combining areca nut, tomato, papaya, and pineapple cultivation alongside poly-tank pisciculture — a model the Minister described as a template for sustainable agri-income.
At Demow, the Minister reviewed sunn hemp cultivation and underlined its value in improving soil fertility and promoting green manure practices. He subsequently visited oil palm and multi-crop horticulture farms developed by farmers Bamun Islary and Dilip Boro in the Dipa area, interacting directly with local cultivators to understand ground-level challenges.
Key Directions from the Review Meeting
Chairing a departmental review at the District Commissioner's conference hall, Hazarika issued a series of directives to district officials. These included the formation of additional Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), regular field-level 'Khet Bachao' awareness programmes, and expedited identification of land required to meet oil palm cultivation targets.
The Minister also called for joint meetings between the Fisheries and Agriculture departments to promote Makhana cultivation, and directed officials to resolve bottlenecks faced by local agri-entrepreneurs seeking support under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
Paddy Procurement and Political Presence
Paddy procurement certificates were distributed to several farmers at the programme. The visit was attended by Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu, Member of Parliament Pradan Baruah, and MLAs Bhuban Pegu and Jibon Gogoi, reflecting the political weight accorded to the agricultural outreach in this frontier district.
Why This Matters
Dhemaji, situated along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and prone to annual floods, has historically faced challenges in mainstreaming farmers into government schemes. The 83 per cent registration figure means thousands of cultivators could still be missing out on direct benefit transfers, crop insurance, and input subsidies linked to formal registration. The 15 January deadline sets a measurable accountability marker for local administration ahead of the next agricultural season.
Point of View
Irregular tenure, or limited access to block-level offices. Setting a deadline is necessary, but administrative directives alone rarely close the last mile in such districts. The more telling test will be whether the department deploys door-to-door outreach in the flood-plain villages, not just conference-hall resolutions. The push on FPCs and Makhana cultivation is welcome, but these are medium-term bets; the immediate gap between registration and actual scheme delivery deserves equal scrutiny.
NationPress
13 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika visit Dhemaji?
Hazarika visited Dhemaji on 12 November 2026 to review the implementation of key agricultural schemes, inspect innovative farming projects, and direct officials on pending tasks including farmer registration. The district has completed 83 per cent of its farmer registration target, prompting a 15 January deadline for full coverage.
What is the farmer registration deadline set for Dhemaji district?
The deadline is 15 January, by which all eligible cultivators in Dhemaji must be registered under the formal farmer registration process. The directive was issued by Minister Pijush Hazarika during a departmental review meeting at the District Commissioner's conference hall.
What farming models did Hazarika inspect during his Dhemaji visit?
Hazarika inspected a 22-bigha integrated farm at Arnai Chapori involving areca nut, tomato, papaya, pineapple, and poly-tank pisciculture; sunn hemp cultivation at Demow; and oil palm and multi-crop horticulture farms in the Dipa area.
What is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and why was it raised?
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a central government scheme that provides concessional credit and financial support to agri-entrepreneurs for post-harvest infrastructure and community farming assets. Hazarika directed officials to clear bottlenecks preventing local entrepreneurs in Dhemaji from accessing AIF benefits.
Who accompanied the Agriculture Minister on his Dhemaji visit?
Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu, Member of Parliament Pradan Baruah, and MLAs Bhuban Pegu and Jibon Gogoi accompanied Hazarika during the day-long visit to Dhemaji district.
