Assam to Secure GI Tags for Indigenous Produce CM Himanta Sarma Directs Mega Stakeholder Workshop

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the State Agriculture Department to organize a mega stakeholder workshop between August and September to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for the region’s unique indigenous agricultural produce. The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting on the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati. Emphasizing that GI tags guarantee market exclusivity and safeguard regional identity for local farmers, Sarma underscored the necessity of robust organic certification to elevate the global competitiveness of local crops. This initiative aims to build on the success of famed Assamese agricultural goods that have already earned the distinction, such as Kaji Nemu (Assam lemon), Joha rice, and Tezpur litchi.

Beyond agricultural developments, the Chief Minister highlighted broader administrative and structural growth strategies intended to elevate the state’s economic trajectory. Sarma revealed that the government has successfully reclaimed over 200 square kilometers of land from encroachers over the past five years and is implementing strict measures to prevent their return. To bolster foundational growth, he instructed crucial departments—including Education, Health, and Power—to actively identify major public infrastructure projects eligible for the Central Government’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme. Additionally, the high-level meeting featured extensive deliberations on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Assam’s administrative framework to establish a more transparent, efficient, and inherently citizen-centric governance system.