Value Addition in Murta (Clinogyne dichotoma) Plants: A Promising Cottage Industry for Barak Valley Zone of Assam

摘要

Agriculture forms the backbone of Indian economy and the rural mass occupies more than 60% of the total population. The area under crop production has been decreasing due to diversion of land for non-farm activities. The present agricultural scenarioof the country is changing from subsistence farming to profitable venture. The varied agroclimatic condition of the country provides ample scope for crop diversification for a better tomorrow. The northeastern state of Assam with a total geographical area of 78438 km2 is bestowed with a wide range of agro-ecological diversity coupled with various flora and fauna. Agriculture occupies the pivotal position in the economy of the state of Assam and over 70 per cent of the state's population directly or indirectly depends on it for their livelihood. Traditional type of agriculture still dominates the lifestyle of the Assamese society. The principal food crops produced in the state are rice, pulses, oilseeds, potato, maize, wheat, etc., with tea being the most important cash crop in the state. Assam is bestowed upon with vast natural and human resources but resource utilization is minimal due to lack of latest technology skills, training, and information. The state is divided into six agroclimatic zones, viz., North Bank Plain Zone, Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone, Lower Brahmaputra Zone, Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone, Barak Valley Zone, and the Hills Zone and as such the state has ample scope for crop diversification.