INDIAN STATE : ASSAM

Major Industries

Agro- based industries

Assam is an agrarian economy since time immemorial with about 75 per cent of Assam's workforce engaged in agriculture and allied activities. Agriculture roughly contributes 40 per cent to the state GDP. Roughly 40 per cent of the total area is cultivated.

The state government has realized the importance of agriculture in the state economy and is pursuing a drive to make the state self-sufficient in basic foodgrains by educating the cultivators about the need for better methods and high-yield seeds.

Assam is endowed with a favourable climate, plentiful rainfall and a variety of terrains. The North-east in general, and Assam in particular is hence ideally suited for the growth of a variety of food crops like paddy and corn, as also plantation (cash) crops like tea and rubber. Tea from Assam is highly prized in the west, particularly Europe, as a beverage. The abundant forest resources provide timber for such industries as plywood, paper etc and also houses a variety of fruits like banana, pineapple, citrus fruits, guava, papaya etc. These are storehouses of an array of medicinal herbs, which have been used by the natives down the ages. These can be tapped for commercial purpose. Riding on regional advantages, industries like mushrooms; silk-reeling and jute-based products are waiting to be tapped to cater to the burgeoning demand in the domestic and overseas markets. Domestic agricultural know-how and economies of scale; permit the growing of vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbages etc. Interestingly, the waste from this wide array of agro-based industries can be channeled towards manufacturing of medium density fiber (MDF) boards that qualifies as a substitute for plywood and timber. Most of these natural resources have hitherto been tapped to cater primarily to local demand without much of a focus on the wider market economics. New technology, Research & Development, suitable marketing all propped up by ample finance should see the setting up of commercial ventures which would capitalise on these resources to the fullest.

Medicinal herbs and plants

With its vast hills and forests, Assam is the home for a variety of medicinal herbs and plants. About 300 types of medicinal herbs and plants are known to exist in abundance in the state. It was found in a recent survey that the Brahamaputra valley itself has 150 varieties of herbs and plants of commercial value. About 300 types of medicinal herbs and over 600 varieties of orchids are known to exist in abundance in the state. It is estimated that only about 5-10 per cent of the plants and herbs are currently unutilized and the rest holds a vast potential.

Sericulture

The climate and general environment of Assam is well suited to sericulture. Traditional varieties of silk cultured include eri, muga and mulberry. Recently a variety known as Tassar is being cultured on an experimental basis. Being a traditional activity, the local populace is a knowledge base about the intricacies of this fine art particularly in respect of eri and muga. The muga silk, known for its fine sheen and golden colour is used by the local silk weaving industry and this has contributed to the development of the muga culture in the state. With further infusion of capital and modern methods, the state offers a tremendous potential for the development of large-scale industry based on silk. The state government, in its effort to encourage the industry, has established a number of silk processing and spinning units besides a host of other infrastructure necessary for sericulture.

Horticulture and spices

The agro-climatic conditions of the state favour the growth of a variety of fruit and vegetables/ spices including coconut, banana, pineapple, orange, ginger, turmeric, chilies, potatoes, etc. some of the important horticulture/spices produce figures of the state are given below:

With better quality planting material, sufficient research support and better know-how, the state could easily be poised for a major boom in the fruit growing and food processing industry. Market opportunities exist both locally and more so for export.

The state government on its part has given a special thrust to non-perishable produce and has undertaken, on a large scale, an awareness drive that focuses on

• Development of progeny orchards to multiply high quality planting materials.
  
• Expanding the area under horticultural cultivation by demonstration of the cultivation of fruits, spices, vegetables, tuber crops, flower, mushroom, etc. and
  
• Educating the farmers on methods to improve yield and sustain a regenerative propagation model for orchards.