NAGAON

In terms of natural resources endowment, the economy is purely agrarian. Agriculture is the backbone of its economy providing livelihood to about 78% of the total population. Rice is the staple food of the inhabitants and paddy is the principal crop of the district. Floods, however, are a major impediment in the development of this sector. Credit flow has also been very low. However, this aspect has now started showing signs of improvement. Present marketing linkages in the sector are weak. The average land holding size is also low (0.9 Ha). Fund requirement is suggested to be met under various govt. schemes and credit linkages from banks. An important component here is the requirement of convergence of various agencies like Irrigation Department, ASEB, DRDA, Banks etc.

The following objectives would have to be striven in the quest for improvement of the agricultural scenario in the distict:

1. Increase in production and productivity of the main crops through increase in productivity, cropping intensity, use of HYV seeds and minimization of post-harvest loss.

2. Improvement of quality of produce.

3. Increase in production of pulses.

4. Increase in production of oil seeds.

5. Diversification in the cropping system and development of horticulture.

6. Improvement of credit linkages.

7. Increase in employment generation through agriculture

8. Development of marketing system.

Considering the fact that Assam gets a lot of rainfall and that fish is an integral part of the diet of the people of Assam, the state produces just about 5.7% of the total freshwater fish production in India. Nagaon district produces roughly 14,000 MT of fish in a year which is about 9% of the total production in the state. It is estimated that 95% of the population are fish-eaters. This would estimate the total requirement of fish in the district in a year at about 23,000 MT. There is a visible dominance of imported fish in the organized markets.

However, one surprisingly observes the phenomenon of exports. Actually, there is lot of demand for local fish because of its better taste/quality when compared with the imported fish. The main reason why imported fish suffers on this score is the delay caused in ice-packing, transportation etc. A comparison of the fish prices reveals that the local “Rohu” variety commands a much higher retail price as compared to its imported counterpart. Thus there is high demand for local fish which explains the exports. The main imported fish is “Rohu”.

There are about 20 small and big rivers, large areas of water bodies, swamps and beels in the district having unique potential for development of inland fisheries. The district also has a 23,000 strong fishermen population.

Another important advantage which the district/state enjoys is the high water table. Thus there is no requirement to dig deep for water. There are a number of unemployed youth in the district and off late it has been observed that more and more of them are opting for fisheries as a livelihood option. Earlier, there were a few social factors because of which fishing was not considered as a very respectable vocation but these days there are no such adverse social factors and fishing sector is being looked at as a decent livelihood option.

There has been a lot of development in aquaculture technologies during the last few decades, on account of which experimental production of 10,000 to 15,000 Kg/Ha/yr has also been achieved. These technologies are mainly based on judicious manipulation of species ratios/stocking density and management practices on sound scientific lines.

But by and large, absence of fishing on scientific/commercial principles characterises the fishery sector in the district resulting in low levels of productivity . There is a need to train the fish farmers properly. As the productivity levels are low, profits in the sector get reduced. As a result the settlement values of the water bodies by and large are low, resulting in less incentive for the licencee to invest in the fishery. In fact, it almost becomes like subsistence fish farming. The problem is further compounded by the short average lease periods. A problem which is experienced in the sector is low level of flow of credit. Due to the risk involved because of flood and absence of insurance cover, banks have not come forward to finance this sector. This situation may be improved by launching pilot projects in the sectors of developing derelict water bodies and riverine fishery through the SHG methods. Efforts are also on to develop wastelands into commercially viable water bodies through rural development schemes under DRDA and the IWDP.

Poultry

People in the district of Nagaon are predominantly non - vegetarian and prefer both eggs and meat of birds of local variety. Production is less than the demand in the district. The climatic condition of the district is suitable for poultry farming. Most of the poultry birds are reared in small units. However, the farmers have to depend on other districts/states for supply of Day Old Chicks. Non availability of quality poultry feed in the local market along with high cost of ingredients and limited supply of essential medicines/ vaccines are the major constraints for development of this sector.

Dairy

The people in rural areas of the district have long tradition of maintaining cows & buffaloes for draught power and milk. The production of milk per local animal is 1.5 litre/day. The low productivity of the dairy animals is apparently due to poor genetic character of the local cows. There is high preponderance of small holdings in the district. Considering demand & supply in the district, there is ample scope for development of this activity in the district, particularly in rural areas adjacent to urban and semi-urban areas.

The handloom Industry is the most important cottage industry in Assam with a glorious past. It is closely associated with art and culture of the society. Mahatma Gandhi made no exaggeration when he remarked “Every woman of Assam is a born weaver. No Assamese girl can expect to become a wife if she does not weave. And she weaves fairy tales. Some of the old patterns were of matchless beauty”. Weaving is a traditional activity of the state.

Nagaon district presents a unique picture in the Handloom and Textile sector. Weaving of fabrics is a way of livelihood of large number of rural families and artisans. Looms are part and parcel of rural households and weaving is an integral part of rural livelihood. However, this important sector is yet to be exploited commercially. It needs to be kept in mind that weaving is only a part time activity and not the primary bread earning activity. As a result, Handloom has not been able to develop to its fullest potential. It is proposed that the inherent advantage which women have in weaving skills shall be exploited. It is felt that demand for the products already exists.

Jajori, which is located about 17 Km from Nagaon town is a very important centre of handloom production. Famous for its “Kacha Pat” products, there are approximately 6,705 nos of weavers here covering most of the families of the place. Considering its importance, govt. has established a Handloom Production Centre at Jajori. The area has immense potential by way of organising, modernisation, training and providing adequate marketing linkages. It is proposed to use the SHG method here to develop its inherent advantage fruitfully.

The district of Nagaon is practically dependent on agriculture and industry has not yet assumed a dominant role in employment generation.

Tea Manufacturing is the predominant industry in the district. In the medium scale industry sector, in addition to Tea Industry, Assam Co-operative Jute Mill Ltd., Kampur co-operative Sugar Mill, Katimari Weaving Project and Sack Craft paper project at Dhing are the main Industrial projects taken up in Co-operative and State sector. Whereas the Jute Mill at Silghat is flourishing, the Kampur Sugar mill has been struggling.

There is good scope for agro-based industries including pisciculture and sericulture. But there are identified weaknesses that includes - Power shortage, Seasonal floods, Shortage of Industrial Labor, Lack of practical Entrepreneurial development/motivation, Lack of practical exposure for perspective entrepreneurs to the development of the various economic activities elsewhere.

List of MSME Industrial units in Nagaon district Click here

Handicraft is an important cottage and household industry sector, which is largely emphasised for providing self-employment opportunities in the rural areas to supplement/augment their earnings. The focus may be given to development of (1) Kuhila craft (2) Pottery & Terracotta (3) Jute, Cane & Bamboo products (4) Rantholi Jewellery.

Resources in nearby areas may also attract investment in this district because of better terrain and railway/road infrastructure.