Assam farmers welcome 'Aghun' season, gear up to harvest golden paddy crops

Rice is the most important crop in Assam and it accounts for 96 per cent of the state's entire food grain production and covers 2.54 million ha of the gross cultivated area of 4.16 million hectares. 

Assam is renowned for having a wide range of rice genetic variations.

Natural selection and farmers' discretion have helped rice cultivation in various agroecological settings to produce a variety of strains with specialised adaptations over time.

Due to the state's physical attributes, geographic location, and historical context, ethnic mobility and immigration have occurred, which through time has led to the introduction of several types of rice genetic stock.

Notably, with agro-climatic variability, seasonal fluctuations in temperature and rainfall, and agriculture's reliance on natural precipitation, the state has three rice-growing seasons.
- Sali, also known as winter rice (June/July-Nov/Dec)
- Ahu, or autumn rice, which is available from March through July.
- Boro or summer rice (November/December to May/June).

What is 'Aghun' season?

Aghun means the season of harvesting gold. Aghun means the season when the farmer's dreams are fulfilled. Aghun means the season of welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into one’s household.

With the fields in Assam dotted with the golden pods of paddy, ready to be harvested, men and women alike are heading through the golden route, to harvest their months of hard work and rejoice in Mother Earth’s abundant gift to her children.
Gushing with hope and happiness, smiling faces dot the farming scene in Assam, as female harvesters sit in the golden fields, enjoying the soury treat of Pomelo (Robab Tenga in Assamese), singing songs of romantic nature.

All in all, women are now busy in the fields harvesting paddy. With a smile on their face, the farmers are all busy harvesting the golden pods of rice.