Guwahati, Aug. 17 -- The Assam government will confer the Chief Minister's Agriculture Excellence Award on 1,000 progressive and educated farmers this year, with each recipient receiving Rs 1 lakh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday, August 17.

Sarma said the initiative is aimed at encouraging educated young people to pursue agriculture and promoting modern, productive and sustainable farming practices across the state.

During a live interaction, the Chief Minister said the selected farmers would also be connected with various government schemes and programmes related to agriculture. The government plans to recognise 10,000 farmers under the initiative over the next five years.

The programme will focus on improving ...