Guwahati: Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika has urged agriculture graduates across the state to embrace farming, horticulture, and agri-preneurship as viable career paths, stating that government jobs cannot accommodate all graduates. The Agriculture Department plans to conduct workshops in 50 colleges across Assam to promote this initiative.

The move by the Assam Agriculture Department aims to address the growing challenge of youth unemployment and shift the traditional reliance on government employment towards self-sustained agricultural ventures. This strategy seeks to leverage the academic expertise of agriculture graduates to modernise and diversify the state’s agricultural sector, potentially boosting rural economies and creating new opportunities.

What was announced

Addressing the 79th Foundation Day celebrations of the College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, on August 16, 2026, Minister Hazarika emphasised that the government sector is unable to provide employment to all agriculture graduates.

He encouraged students to establish themselves as successful farmers and entrepreneurs, urging them to move beyond the conventional mindset of solely seeking government jobs. The Minister highlighted that young people could potentially earn significantly more through horticulture compared to a typical government job.

Minister Hazarika also announced that the Agriculture Department, acting on directions from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has decided to organise agricultural workshops in 50 colleges across Assam. He sought the cooperation of Assam Agricultural University and its faculty in implementing this initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Education Department and the Agriculture Department will soon be signed to facilitate the programme.

Additionally, Hazarika mentioned the Agriculture Department’s plan to distribute five crore high-value fruit saplings across the state, seeking AAU’s support in assisting farmers with this initiative. He also urged students to take the lead in promoting Makhana cultivation, suggesting it could significantly increase farmers’ income.

Why it matters

This initiative is crucial for Assam, where a significant number of educated youth, including agriculture graduates, often face challenges in securing formal employment. A 2022 study on career aspirations of post-graduate students at Assam Agricultural University revealed that a majority had a strong inclination towards government officer-level jobs, often feeling underprepared for competitive examinations and lacking proper guidance.

The push for agri-preneurship aims to diversify career options and reduce the pressure on the public sector. By promoting farming, horticulture, and related ventures, the government seeks to foster self-reliance and create a robust rural economy. The Minister’s statement also underscores the need to change the societal perception that farming is an occupation exclusively for economically disadvantaged sections.

The agricultural sector in Assam, which contributed over 38 percent of the state income in 1990-91, remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy, employing a large portion of its workforce. However, a substantial portion of youth employment in agriculture is informal or unpaid, particularly for women. Encouraging educated graduates to enter this sector with an entrepreneurial mindset could introduce modern techniques, improve productivity, and enhance income generation.

Background

Unemployment, particularly among educated youth, has been a persistent challenge in Assam. According to the Economic Survey, Assam, 2024-25, the number of live registered job seekers in the state increased significantly from 119,358 in 2021 to over 20 lakh in 2023. While the unemployment rate in Assam declined from 4.1 percent in 2020-21 to 3.9 percent in 2023-24, the agriculture sector alone cannot absorb all unemployed youth, and educated youth often show a preference away from it.

The Assam government has previously launched various schemes to promote entrepreneurship and support the agricultural sector. The Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM) scheme, re-launched as Renewed Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment (RE-SVAYEM) in 2020, aimed to generate employment by supporting new and existing ventures in manufacturing, trading, and services. Additionally, schemes like the Biponi scheme provide financial assistance for market infrastructure and linkages for small businesses, farmers, and artisans.

Assam Agricultural University has also been actively involved in nurturing agri-entrepreneurship through initiatives like the North East Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurs Hub (NEATEHUB), which provides incubation support, seed money, and training to agri-startups. The university also launched its first three-year Diploma in Agriculture in November 2025 to empower rural youth with practical farming knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently announced the Chief Minister’s Agriculture Excellence Award, which will honour 1,000 progressive and educated farmers with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each this year. The aim is to attract more educated youth towards agriculture and introduce them to various government schemes.

Key details

The core of the Assam Agriculture Department’s new initiative involves conducting agricultural workshops in 50 colleges across the state. These workshops are designed to educate agriculture graduates about the potential of farming, horticulture, and agri-preneurship as lucrative career options.

The programme will be implemented through a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding between the Education Department and the Agriculture Department, signifying a coordinated effort to integrate entrepreneurial training into the academic curriculum or as an extracurricular offering.

Beyond the workshops, the Agriculture Department plans to distribute five crore high-value fruit saplings statewide, with support from Assam Agricultural University. This initiative is expected to create direct opportunities for graduates to engage in commercial horticulture. The promotion of Makhana cultivation is another specific focus, aimed at helping farmers significantly increase their income.

Reactions

“The government sector cannot provide jobs to all agriculture graduates. Young people can earn significantly more through horticulture than through a conventional government job,” Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika said. “We need to change the perception that farming is an occupation meant only for economically disadvantaged sections of society.”

Assam Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Dipjyoti Rajkhowa was present at the event, along with Madhabdev University Vice-Chancellor Arupjyoti Choudhury, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, and MLAs Hitendra Nath Goswami, Rupjyoti Kurmi, and Dhiraj Gowala. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort required for this initiative.

What’s next

The Assam Agriculture Department is expected to formalise the initiative by signing an MoU with the Education Department in the near future. Following this, the agricultural workshops will commence in the identified 50 colleges across Assam.

Graduates and students of agriculture are encouraged to actively participate in these upcoming workshops to gain insights into entrepreneurial opportunities in the sector. The distribution of five crore high-value fruit saplings and the promotion of Makhana cultivation are also set to be rolled out, with the support of Assam Agricultural University.

Sources & References