Guwahati, July 11: Assam, which has the dubious distinction of importing a major chunk of its food requirements from outside, is a rich storehouse of horticultural crops and to tap this potential, a special technology mission has been launched by the government here. Assam has unique agro-climatic conditions which permit growing of wide range of horticultural crops with plantations and gardens accommodating various fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants.

According to a report prepared by the state agriculture department, the thrust is to grow organic crops and the need for commercialisation has been felt even in remote areas.

Keeping this in mind the government has embarked on a technology mission on horticulture with a comprehensive mandate to address all old and new issues. While old issues are mostly infrastructural, new issues are market related and largely an outcome of WTO impact, the report says.

This unique mission has framed precise strategies to address issues associated with technology generation production cum productivity, quality, marketing and processing.

Bureau Report