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{{Short description|Government department in Assam}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Department of Agriculture and Horticulture
| nativename = {{native name|as|কৃষি আৰু উদ্যান শস্য বিভাগ}}
| seal = Seal of Assam.svg
| seal_width = 100px
| seal_caption = State emblem of Assam
| formed = {{Start date and age|1950}}
| logo_caption =
| picture =
| picture_caption =
| jurisdiction = [[Government of Assam]]
| headquarters = Block, 1st Floor, [[Janata Bhawan]] (Civil) [[Dispur]], [[Guwahati]]-781006
| coordinates =
| budget =
| minister1_pfo = Minister
| minister1_name = [[Atul Bora (AGP politician)|Atul Bora]]
| chief1_name = Aruna Rajoria, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| chief1_position = Commissioner and Secretary
| chief2_name = Tej Prasad Bhusal, ACS
| chief2_position = Secretary
| child1_agency = Directorate of Agriculture
| child2_agency = Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing
| child3_agency = Assam Seeds Corporation Limited
| child4_agency = Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency
| child5_agency = Assam State Agriculture Marketing Board
| child6_agency = State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute
| child7_agency = Assam Small Farmers' Agri Business Consortium
| website = {{official website|https://agri-horti.assam.gov.in/}}
| logo =
| logo_size =
| employees =
| parent_department =
| type = Department
}}

The '''Department of Agriculture and Horticulture''' ({{langx|as|কৃষি আৰু উদ্যান শস্য বিভাগ}}) is a department in the state [[government of Assam]], [[India]] which is responsible for the administration and promotion of [[agriculture]] in the state, regulation of agrarian services, ensuring [[food security]] and [[food processing]], and improving livelihoods of the [[farmers|farming community]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://agri-horti.assam.gov.in/about-us/about-us|title=Department of Agriculture and Horticulture (Assam): About Us|access-date=5 April 2026|website=agri-horti.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

The department is headed by a minister usually of cabinet rank, or the Minister of Agriculture, currently [[Atul Bora (AGP politician)|Atul Bora]] who has been in office since 24 May 2016.

== History ==

The history behind the creation of the Department of Agriculture in Assam dates back to April 1882 during the [[British rule in Assam|colonial rule]]. The department was responsible for conducting crop-cutting experiments on winter rice, mustard and sugarcane cultivation in the state to assess the productivity of land preparation and assessment proposals during settlement.

In 1893, an Agricultural Conference was held in [[Shimla]] and based on the recommendations of the conference, the British Government deputed Sir E. Buck to Assam in 1895 to discuss and implement the conference's recommendations in Assam. Buck advocated the appointment of an agricultural expert to ascertain agricultural defects and introduce agricultural improvements. In 1897, B. C. Basu, a Deputy Collector in Bengal, was appointed as assistant director.

In 1905, following the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|partition of Bengal]] and the subsequent creation of the [[Eastern Bengal and Assam]] province, the Department of Agriculture was separated in 1907 to form the Department of Land Records and Agriculture. Assam became a separate province again in 1912 and the Department of Land Records and Agriculture continued to exist until 1922. In 1923, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Industries was established.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://agri-horti.assam.gov.in/about-us/history|title=Department of Agriculture and Horticulture: History|access-date=5 April 2026|website=agri-horti.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

Following India's independence in 1947 and the subsequent formation of the [[Bordoloi ministry (Assam)|state government]] under the chief ministership of [[Gopinath Bordoloi]], the Department of Agriculture was formed in the state. [[Omeo Kumar Das]] was appointed as the state's first agriculture minister. Since then, the department has existed.

== Organisation ==

The Department of Agriculture and Horticulture is the nodal agency and is administered through two directorates and five specialised agencies:

=== Directorate of Agriculture ===

The '''Directorate of Agriculture''' ({{langx|as|কৃষি সঞ্চালকালয়}}) is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the state's agrarian policies and programmes aimed at achieving rapid agricultural growth through optimum utilisation of land, water, soil and plant resources and implementation of beneficiary-oriented schemes for the economic upliftment of the farmers. The directorate also establishes farmer-dependent coordination in implementing and providing technological knowledge to the farming community through agricultural extension services.

The directorate is also responsible for creating assured irrigation facilities for farmers through minor irrigation schemes, promoting the use of farmer-friendly bio-fertilisers, encouraging farmers to minimise pesticide use, and controlling environmental pollution through integrated pest management. It also monitors soil health, educates farmers on soil and water conservation technologies, undertakes measures to provide agricultural credit and crop insurance, helps the farmers in getting remunerative returns for their produce, and implements flood and drought relief programmes. It also contributes towards the economic empowerment of women and the eradication of rural poverty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://diragri.assam.gov.in/about-us/detail/function-and-objectives-1|title=Functions and Objectives of the Directorate of Agriculture|website=diragri.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

The directorate is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the following schemes and projects:
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi]]
* Mukhya Mantri Krishi Sa Sajuli Yozana
* [[National e-Governance Plan|National e-Governance Plan-Agriculture]] (NeGP-A)
* National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
* National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
* National Mission on Agriculture Extension Technology (NMAET)
* National Mission on Oil Seeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)
* [[Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana]] (PMFBY)
* Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
* [[Remunerative Approach for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation|Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana]] (RKVY)
* Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)
* Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY)
{{div col end}}

=== Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing ===

The '''Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing''' ({{langx|as|উদ্যান শস্য আৰু খাদ্য প্ৰক্ৰিয়াকৰণ সঞ্চালকালয়}}) is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes aimed at achieving rapid growth of the horticultural sector and ensuring an increase in area coverage to increase production and productivity of horticultural crops by transferring technology. It also undertakes all possible measures to ensure a timely and adequate supply of quality planting materials and motivates farmers to minimise the use of chemicals and adopt organic farming practices.

The directorate also aims to increase the production and productivity of fruit crops, vegetable crops, and spice crops and ensure good health and augment market and marketing facilities.

The Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing is responsible for the implementation of the following schemes and projects:

{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* Bee Keeping Scheme
* Coconut Development Scheme
* Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH)
* Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana -Per Drop More Crop (PMKSY-PDMC)
* Mission Organic Value Chain Development in Assam (MOVCDA)
* Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
* Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY)
* SASMIRA Scheme for Agro-Textile
* State Plan Scheme
{{div col end}}

=== Assam Seeds Corporation Limited ===

The '''Assam Seeds Corporation Limited''' ({{langx|as|অসম বীজ নিগম লিমিটেড}}) (ASCL) was established in 1967 to provide unique services for the production of all kinds of high-yielding varieties of seeds to the farmers and other customers at a fair price. It also produces foundation seeds from breeder seed on its own farm, which are then procured from the [[Assam Agricultural University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ascltd.assam.gov.in/about-us/history-1|title=Assam Seeds Corporation Limited: History|website=ascltd.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

=== Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency ===

The '''Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency''' ({{langx|as|অসম বীজ আৰু জৈৱিক প্ৰমাণীকৰণ সংস্থা)}} (ASOCA) was established on 1 January 1985 as an autonomous body of the Government of Assam under the Seed Act 1966 and was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The agency recognises varieties of seeds eligible for seed certification and publishes and maintains lists indicating the names of such varieties and kinds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asoca.assam.gov.in/about-us/detail/functions-objectives-1|title=Functions and Objectives of the Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency|website=asoca.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

=== Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board ===

The '''Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board''' ({{langx|as|অসম ৰাজ্যিক কৃষি বিপণন ব’ৰ্ড}}) (ASAMB) was established under the Assam Agricultural Produce Market (AAPM) Act 1972 to provide for better regulation of buying and selling of agricultural produce and the establishment of a market for agricultural produce in the state of Assam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asamb.assam.gov.in/about-us/history-2|title=History of the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board|website=asamb.assam.gov.in}}</ref> The board is responsible for the coordination of the working of the market committees for the development of the market and market areas and state level planning of the development of agricultural produce and markets.

=== State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute ===

The '''State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute''' ({{langx|as|ৰাজ্যিক কৃষি ব্যৱস্থাপনা আৰু সম্প্ৰসাৰণ প্ৰশিক্ষণ প্ৰতিষ্ঠান)}} (SAMETI) is the state-level nodal training institute of Tripura, established under the scheme "Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reform" in the year 2011 at Krishi Bhavan Campus, Khanapara, Guwahati. The institution is autonomous in nature, with greater flexibility in structure and functioning, and is responsible for human resource development and capacity building of extension functionaries of different line departments on scientific extension management.

=== Assam Small Farmers' Agri Business Consortium ===

The '''Assam Small Farmers' Agri Business Consortium''' ({{langx|as|অসম ক্ষুদ্ৰ কৃষকৰ কৃষি ব্যৱসায় সংঘ)}} (ASFAC) was established on 1 October 2001 and was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on 24 December 2001. The agency functions to catalyse agro industrial growth in different parts of Assam based on principles of ecological sustainability, economic efficiency and social equity, and undertakes programmes for employment generation, growth and diversification of agriculture and other food based industries to increase food production and export of food products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asfac.assam.gov.in/about-us/detail/objectives-functions|title=Objectives and Functions of the Assam Small Farmers' Agri Business Consortium|website=asfac.assam.gov.in}}</ref>

== Ministers ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" colspan="2"| Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="width:18em" |Minister {{small|(Birth-Death) Constituency}}
! colspan="3" |Term of office
! rowspan="2" style="width:8em" |Political party
! rowspan="2" style="width:6em" | Ministry
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Chief Minister
|-
! style="width:9em"| From
! style="width:9em"| To
! style="width:6em"| Period
|-
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| rowspan="2"| [[File:Omeo Kumar Das 1998 stamp of India.jpg|70px]]
| rowspan="2"| '''[[Omeo Kumar Das]]''' {{small|ওমেও কুমাৰ দাস (1895–1975) MLA for [[Dhekiajuli Assembly constituency|Dhekiajuli North]]}}
| 26 January 1950
| 5 August 1950
| rowspan="2"| {{ayd|26 Jan 1950|27 Mar 1952}}
| rowspan="10"| [[Indian National Congress]]
| [[Bordoloi ministry (Assam)|Bordoloi]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[Gopinath Bordoloi]]
|-
| 9 August 1950
| 27 March 1952
| [[First Medhi ministry|Medhi I]]
| rowspan="3" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| rowspan="3"| [[Bishnuram Medhi]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|
| '''Ram Nath Das''' {{small|ৰাম নাথ দাস MLA for [[Jorhat Assembly constituency|Jorhat North]]}}
| 28 March 1952
| 21 April 1957
| {{ayd|28 Mar 1952|21 Apr 1957}}
| [[Second Medhi ministry|Medhi II]]
|-
| rowspan="3" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| rowspan="3"| [[File:Moinul Hoque Choudhury.gif|70px]]
| rowspan="3"| '''[[Moinul Hoque Choudhury]]''' {{small|মইনুল হকে চৌধুৰী (1923–1976) MLA for [[Silchar Assembly constituency|Silchar East]]}}
| 21 April 1957
| 27 December 1957
| rowspan="3"| {{ayd|21 Apr 1957|16 Mar 1967}}
| [[Third Medhi ministry|Medhi III]]
|-
| 27 December 1957
| 1 March 1962
| [[First Chaliha ministry|Chaliha I]]
| rowspan="3" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| rowspan="3"| [[Bimala Prasad Chaliha]]
|-
| 1 March 1962
| 16 March 1967
| [[Second Chaliha ministry|Chaliha II]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|
| '''Lakshmi Prasad Goswami''' {{small|লক্ষ্মী প্ৰসাদ গোস্বামী MLA for [[Jamunamukh Assembly constituency|Jamunamukh]]}}
| 16 March 1967
| 11 November 1970
| {{ayd|16 Mar 1967|11 Nov 1970}}
| [[Third Chaliha ministry|Chaliha III]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|
| '''Ataur Rahman Choudhury''' {{small|অতৌৰ ৰহমান চৌধুৰী MLA for [[Chenga Assembly constituency|Chenga]]}}
| 11 November 1970
| 31 January 1972
| {{ayd|11 Nov 1970|31 Jan 1972}}
| [[Mahendra Mohan Choudhry ministry|Choudhry]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[Mahendra Mohan Choudhry]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|
| '''Upendra Das''' {{small|উপেন্দ্ৰ দাস MLA for Rangamati}}
| 31 January 1972
| 12 October 1974
| {{ayd|31 Jan 1972|12 Oct 1974}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Sarat Chandra Sinha ministry|Sinha]]
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| rowspan="2"| [[Sarat Chandra Sinha]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|
| '''Mohammad Umaruddin''' {{small|মহম্মদ উমাৰুদ্দিন MLA for [[Dhubri Assembly constituency|Dhubri]]}}
| 12 October 1974
| 12 March 1978
| {{ayd|12 Oct 1974|12 Mar 1978}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
|
| '''Soneswar Boro''' {{small|সোণেশ্বৰ বড়ো MLA for [[Golaghat Assembly constituency|Golaghat]]}}
| 12 March 1978
| 4 September 1979
| {{ayd|12 Mar 1978|4 Sep 1979}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Janata Party]]
| [[Borbora ministry|Borbora]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
| [[Golap Borbora]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
|
| '''Santi Ranjan Das Gupta''' {{small|শান্তি ৰঞ্জন দাস গুপ্তা MLA for [[Hojai Assembly constituency|Hojai]]}}
| 9 September 1979
| 11 December 1979
| {{ayd|9 Sep 1979|11 Dec 1979}}
| [[Hazarika ministry|Hazarika]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
| [[Jogendra Nath Hazarika]]
|-
! colspan="10"| {{nobold|''Position vacant during this interval''}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[File:Syeda Anwara Taimur.jpg|70px]]
| '''[[Anwara Taimur]]''' {{small|আনোৱাৰা টাইমুৰ (1936{{ndash}}2020) MLA for [[Dalgaon Assembly constituency|Dalgaon]]}}
| 6 December 1980
| 30 June 1981
| {{ayd|6 Dec 1980|30 Jun 1981}}
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| [[Taimur ministry|Taimur]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[Anwara Taimur]]
|-
! colspan="10"| {{nobold|''Position vacant during this interval''}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
|
| '''Santi Ranjan Das Gupta''' {{small|শান্তি ৰঞ্জন দাস গুপ্তা MLA for [[Hojai Assembly constituency|Hojai]]}}
| 13 January 1982
| 19 March 1982
| {{ayd|13 Jan 1982|19 Mar 1982}}
| [[Janata Party]]
| [[Kesab Chandra Gogoi ministry|Kesab]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[Kesab Chandra Gogoi]]
|-
! colspan="10"| {{nobold|''Position vacant during this interval''}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|
| '''Ranendra Narayan Basumatary''' {{small|ৰানেন্দ্ৰ নাৰায়ণ বসুমতাৰী MLA for [[Kokrajhar West Assembly constituency|Kokrajhar West]]}}
| 28 February 1983
| 23 December 1985
| {{ayd|28 Feb 1983|23 Dec 1985}}
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| [[First Saikia ministry|Saikia I]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[Hiteswar Saikia]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}"|
|
| '''Nilamoni Das''' {{small|নীলামণি দাস MLA for [[Mangaldai Assembly constituency|Mangaldoi]]}}
| 24 December 1985
| 28 November 1990
| {{ayd|24 Dec 1985|28 Nov 1990}}
| [[Asom Gana Parishad]]
| [[First Mahanta ministry|Mahanta I]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}"|
| [[Prafulla Kumar Mahanta]]
|-
! colspan="10"| {{nobold|''Position vacant during this interval''}}
|-
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| rowspan="2"| [[File:Syeda Anwara Taimur.jpg|70px]]
| rowspan="2"| '''[[Anwara Taimur]]''' {{small|আনোৱাৰা টাইমুৰ (1936{{ndash}}2020) MLA for [[Dalgaon Assembly constituency|Dalgaon]]}}
| rowspan="2"| 30 June 1991
| rowspan="2"| 14 May 1996
| rowspan="2"| {{ayd|30 Jun 1991|14 May 1996}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress]]
| [[Second Saikia ministry|Saikia II]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[Hiteswar Saikia]]
|-
| [[Barman ministry|Barman]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[Bhumidhar Barman]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}"|
| [[File:Chandra Mohan Patowary.jpg|70px]]
| '''[[Chandra Mohan Patowary]]''' {{small|চন্দ্ৰ মোহন পাটোৱাৰী (born 1955) MLA for [[Dharmapur Assembly constituency|Dharmapur]]}}
| 15 May 1996
| 17 May 2001
| {{ayd|15 May 1996|17 May 2001}}
| [[Asom Gana Parishad]]
| [[Second Mahanta ministry|Mahanta II]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}"|
| [[Prafulla Kumar Mahanta]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[File:Ardhendu Kumar Dey ALA portrait.jpg|70px]]
| '''[[Ardhendu Kumar Dey]]''' {{small|অৰ্ধেন্দু কুমাৰ দে (1938{{ndash}}2022) MLA for [[Hojai Assembly constituency|Hojai]]}}
| 17 May 2001
| 21 May 2006
| {{ayd|17 May 2001|21 May 2006}}
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| [[First Tarun Gogoi ministry|Tarun I]]
| rowspan="4" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| rowspan="4"| [[Tarun Gogoi]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Bodoland People's Front}}"|
| [[File:Pramila Rani Brahma.jpg|70px]]
| '''[[Pramila Rani Brahma]]''' {{small|প্ৰমিলা ৰাণী ব্ৰহ্ম (born 1951) MLA for [[Kokrajhar East Assembly constituency|Kokrajhar East]]}}
| 21 May 2006
| 18 May 2011
| {{ayd|21 May 2006|18 May 2011}}
| [[Bodoland People's Front]]
| [[Second Tarun Gogoi ministry|Tarun II]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[File:Nilamani Sen Deka in November 2013 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
| '''[[Nilamani Sen Deka]]''' {{small|নীলামণি সেন ডেকা (born 1953) MLA for [[Dharmapur Assembly constituency|Dharmapur]]}}
| 30 May 2011
| 26 January 2015
| {{ayd|30 May 2011|26 Jan 2015}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Third Tarun Gogoi ministry|Tarun III]]
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
| [[File:Rakibul Hussain in January 2014 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
| '''[[Rakibul Hussain]]''' {{small|ৰকিবুল হুছেইন (born 1964) MLA for [[Samaguri Assembly constituency|Samaguri]]}}
| 26 January 2015
| 24 May 2016
| {{ayd|26 Jan 2015|24 May 2016}}
|-
| rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}"|
| rowspan="2"| [[File:Atul Bora in 2025.jpg|70px]]
| rowspan="2"| '''[[Atul Bora (AGP politician)|Atul Bora]]''' {{small|অতুল বৰা (born 1960) MLA for [[Bokakhat Assembly constituency|Bokakhat]]}}
| rowspan="2"| 25 May 2016
| rowspan="2"| Incumbent
| rowspan="2"| {{ayd|25 May 2016}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Asom Gana Parishad]]
| [[Sonowal ministry|Sonowal]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
| style="width:8em"| [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
|-
| [[Sarma ministry|Sarma]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
| [[Himanta Biswa Sarma]]
|-
|}

== See also ==

* [[Government of Assam]]
* [[Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare]]
* [[Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers' Welfare (Kerala)]]
* [[Ministry of Agriculture (Maharashtra)]]
* [[Department of Agriculture (Tamil Nadu)]]
* [[Department of Agriculture (West Bengal)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Government departments of Assam|Agriculture and Horticulture]]
[[Category:State agriculture departments in India|Assam]]

Department of Agriculture and Horticulture Assam - Revision history

Ab2030 at 12:03, 2 May 2026