Assam: CM proposes to set up 1000 mini rice mills to aid farmers

DISPUR: The Government of Assam has decided to sponsor 1000 mini rice mills in support of the farmers’ needs at the local level. Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma held a key meeting with the officials of Agriculture Department and Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY) proposing several key initiatives that are more affordable and aimed at facilitating better paddy procurement.

CM Sarma asked the officials to stress more on supporting the farmers in exporting the farm products. He thoroughly evaluated the proposed initiatives to set up rice mills along with Combine Harvesters and Mini Trucks to the Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), which are groups of small and marginal farmers.

Sarma also mentioned about another scheme for setting up 50 rice mills with 200 MT milling capacity and will be promoted with CMSGUY and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with a minimum cost of 10 lakhs to 40 lakhs, depending upon the capacity of the mill. The state government will also set up 1000 mini rice mills under AIF with a subsidy up to Rs. 1.17 lakh per mill with combine harvesters with 90% subsidy.

CM Sarma has directed the Agriculture Department to also provide Mini Trucks with 30% subsidy or an amount of 1.5 lakh to the FPCs.