In a significant stride toward both environmental sustainability and economic empowerment for farmers, the Assam Agricultural University (AAU) in Jorhat has initiated a ground-breaking program.
This initiative involves a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the university, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of New Delhi, and ReNew Power Synergy Private Limited, aiming to plant one crore saplings across Assam.
This ambitious attempt by the Assam Agricultural University intends to utilize carbon testing to offer financial benefits to farmers in the state. The agreement involves assessing carbon deposits in trees that reach maturity three years post-planting. Farmers from various regions of Assam will actively participate in this plantation drive.
Dr. Bidyut Chandan Deka, Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University, highlighted the collaborative effort, which includes the involvement of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Krishi Research Centre under the university’s auspices. The initial phase of the project will concentrate on planting saplings in ten districts: Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Darrang, Udalguri, Baksa, Nalbari, and Barpeta.
Representatives from TERI emphasized the dual advantages of environmental preservation and financial gain for participating farmers. Each tree owner stands to gain financially while contributing to environmental conservation. This initiative has received support from various stakeholders, including Dr. Sanjay Kumar Chetia, Director of Agricultural Research, and Dr. Prasanna Kumar Pathak, Director of Agricultural Sciences, among others.
The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished individuals, including Dr. Manoranjan Neog, Director of Extension Education, and Dr. Ranjit Kumar Saud and Dr. Mrinal Saikia, Associate Directors of Agricultural Research from Assam Agricultural University. From TERI, Dr. J.V. Sharma, Senior Director, along with other esteemed professors, contributed their expertise to this collaborative effort.
