North-east India: Assam rebels turn farmers and go for papaya cultivation

North-east India: Assam rebels turn farmers and go for papaya cultivation

Assam separatist movements have been operating in north-east India's oil-rich state of Assam since the 1970s. The conflict has resulted in some 30,000 deaths. But now there is a revolution of a different kind as former rebels turn to fruitful ventures. Papaya cultivation is at the centre of an agrarian revolution that has helped former rebels drop their guns and take up farming.

Their new and more peaceful lifestyle change has made them self-sufficient and given them the confidence to export the vitamin-rich fruit to other shores.

Dudhnoi, about 115 km west of Guwahati, is the scene of the revolution which has yielded phenomenal results in organic papaya cultivation in the past year. The new joint venture, Panchajyoti Krishak Goat, is attracting hordes of purchasers and about 1,500 kgs of organic produce have already been exported to Dubai with the help of the recently introduced air cargo facility at the Guwahati airport.

The successes of their effort has encouraged the new farmers to extend their cultivation to other pieces of land which they have taken on lease. “Papaya has bright prospects abroad. If quality is assured, the value goes up manifold. Though we have started cultivating a few other leafy vegetables, organic papayas have been the best-sellers.”

Source: moveefy.com