Krishna Bhattacharjee Most small farmers in Assam and West Bengal depend on only one source of income. Some grow paddy, others cultivate vegetables, while a few rear livestock or keep fish ponds. The problem with depending on a single activity is that one bad season, a pest attack, heavy floods, or a sudden drop in market prices … Read more
Jute is often called the Golden Fibre of India, and for good reason. For generations, farmers in West Bengal and parts of Assam have cultivated jute as an important cash crop. Even today, jute remains one of the country’s most valuable natural fibres. It is used to make sacks, shopping bags, ropes, carpets, handicrafts, home … Read more
Flower farming, also known as floriculture, is becoming one of the fastest-growing agricultural businesses in India. Every day, flowers are required for temples, mosques, churches, weddings, birthdays, cultural programmes, hotels, offices, and home decoration. Apart from fresh flowers, there is also demand for garlands, bouquets, loose flowers, potted flowering plants, and ornamental plants. This growing … Read more
Spices are an essential part of every Indian kitchen. Whether it is turmeric in dal, ginger in tea, chilli in curries, or black pepper in pickles, almost every meal prepared in homes across the country uses one or more spices. Because of this daily demand, spice farming has become one of the most promising agricultural … Read more
Rice is the main food crop in Assam and West Bengal. Almost every farming family grows paddy, and every village depends on rice as its staple food. After months of hard work in the fields, farmers harvest paddy, but the crop is not ready to eat until it is processed. The outer husk must be … Read more
Medicinal plants have been a part of Indian villages for hundreds of years. Long before modern medicines became common, rural families depended on plants like tulsi, aloe vera, neem, ashwagandha, giloy, turmeric, and lemongrass for everyday health needs. Even today, many households in Assam and West Bengal grow a few medicinal plants in their gardens. … Read more
Goat farming has always been a part of village life in India. Almost every village has families that keep a few goats near their homes. Traditionally, goats were raised mainly for household needs or sold during festivals and emergencies. Today, however, goat farming has become a profitable rural business that provides a steady source of … Read more
My name is Lakshmi Das. I come from a small village near Silchar in Assam. A few years ago, I never imagined that selling plants could become my full-time business. Like many women in our village, I stayed at home, helped my family with household work, and looked after a small kitchen garden. People in … Read more
My name is Subir Das. I am from Dagh Kuna, a small village near Silchar in Assam. Like many young people in our village, I once believed that the only way to earn a good living was to leave home and find a job in a city. Most of my friends had already gone to … Read more
In the villages of Assam and West Bengal, banana is one of the most commonly grown fruit crops. Almost every village has banana plants near houses, ponds, or beside paddy fields. Many families grow a few plants only for household use, but very few people think of banana cultivation as a proper business. In reality, … Read more