AAU launches intensive training to boost soybean cultivation for Assam’s food and feed security

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 19, 2025

A seven-day training programme aimed at boosting soybean cultivation in Assam began on June 16 at the Assam Agricultural University (AAU) campus in Jorhat. Organised by the AICRP on Soybean under the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, the training is titled “Strengthening Soybean Cultivation in Assam for Nutritional, Feed, and Food Security” and will continue until June 22.

The programme has drawn 27 participants, including officials from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the state agriculture department, and progressive farmers and entrepreneurs. The inaugural session was held at the Academic Complex, with the presence of the Director of Research (Agriculture), Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and the Director of Extension Education, lending weight to the launch of the event.

Dr I.A. Sheikh, Principal Investigator of the AICRP Soybean Scheme, welcomed the participants and highlighted the growing importance of soybean as an oilseed crop in Assam. He pointed to the recent establishment of soybean-based industries such as the oil mill at Biswanath Chariali and a feed mill in Jorhat, which have helped create a local market chain.

In his inaugural address, Dr S.K. Chetia, Director of Research (Agriculture), stressed the value of soybeans in the animal feed industry and its broader potential in ensuring nutritional and food security in the state. He emphasised the need to increase local production to reduce reliance on imports.

Dr M. Neog, Director of Extension Education, and Dr P. Pathak, Dean of Agriculture, both underlined the importance of knowledge transfer. They encouraged participants to use their training to help expand soybean cultivation among farmers across the region.

Heads of the departments of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics, Extension Education, and Agronomy were also present at the session, reflecting the multi-disciplinary support behind the programme.

Following the inauguration, participants took part in an interactive session with industry leaders Akash Jyoti Gogoi, Founder Director of Northeast Agro Products and Bahuboli Egg Laying Farm, and Nandita Sharma, Executive Director of Associated Tea & Agro Services Pvt. Ltd. Their inputs provided practical insights into the current market and opportunities within the soybean sector.

The training schedule covers a wide range of topics, including the economics of soybean farming, agronomic practices, mechanisation, breeding and biotechnology, disease and pest management, and soybean-based food products. Sessions have been designed to provide both theoretical understanding and practical applications, equipping participants to play a key role in promoting sustainable soybean cultivation in Assam.