The Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (APART) Project has kicked off a comprehensive two-month training program for 5,000 farmers across 10 clusters in Sonitpur district, to promote agribusiness and rural transformation.

The training program aims to create awareness among farmers about various agricultural schemes, including the PM-Kisan, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and Paddy procurement, reported The Hills Times.

The initiative was inaugurated ceremonially at the No 2 Barchala-Chitalmari area in Sonitpur, with several officials and representatives from government agencies and financial institutions in attendance.

During the inaugural ceremony, Dr Khanindra Barman, district nodal officer, emphasized the significance of the training program and urged farmers to familiarize themselves with the schemes launched by the state agricultural department.

Detailed information about the PM-Kisan Scheme, including its eligibility criteria and claim procedure, was provided by Padma Nath Doley, while the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) were highlighted by an SBI representative.

Additionally, representatives from the Agriculture Insurance Company discussed the importance and benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), shedding light on various agricultural practices and financial support available to farmers.

In an effort to further educate and empower the trainees, the program included discussions on topics such as soil health cards, scientific cultivation practices for mustard, millet cultivation benefits, and the paddy procurement process by government agencies.

Durlov Bora, DHC, APART, highlighted high-value agriculture crops and their export potential, emphasizing the importance of farmers taking advantage of all available agricultural schemes.

With 98 training events scheduled to be held within the district over the next two months, this program promises to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary for sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth in the region.