Agricultural Input Supply System in Assam — An Appraisal Barua Luhit Kumar, Hazarika J.P., Deka Nivedita Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam Online published on 9 October, 2012. Abstract In Assam most of the inputs are supplied by the Department of Agriculture after procuring them from various sources within and outside the state. In the state, seed distribution is done by both public and private agencies. The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) under the Assam Agricultural University produce seeds and distribute them among the farmers. During 2009–10, the amount of certified rice seed distributed by the Department of Agriculture (DoA), Assam Seed Corporation (ASC) and Assam State Seed Certification Agency (ASSCA) under seed village programme were 1355q, 3720q and 352 q, respectively. Under Calamity Relief Fund and Disaster Management Plan, the DoA distributed 43657q and 1346 q of certified rice seeds, respectively. The common channels of seed distribution in the state are: (i) ASC/ASSCA/seed companies–DoA -District Agricultural Offices (DAO) -farmers, (ii) KVK-farmers. The Government of Assam provides subsidy for most of the inputs ranging from 50 per cent for farm machineries to 100 per cent for fertilizers. Despite good efforts on the part of the suppliers, the farmers face problems in timely getting of inputs. A public-private partnership mode of distribution of the inputs is expected to benefit the farmers in the state. Top Keywords Input supply, agricultural inputs, subsidy, Assam. Top |