BTC to support 1.66 lakh drought-hit farmers: CEM Pramod Boro

In response to the worsening drought-like conditions across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Pramod Boro, has assured comprehensive support to farmers grappling with crop failure due to deficient rainfall.

Speaking at a press conference held in Kokrajhar, Boro acknowledged that 2025 has brought unprecedented challenges to the region’s agricultural landscape. He revealed that drought has impacted approximately 1,500 villages across BTR, damaging over 2,300 hectares of paddy saplings and nearly 24,618 hectares of farmland.

Rainfall deficiency has been recorded at alarming levels—72% in Baksa, 62% in Chirang, 59% in Kokrajhar, and 36% in Udalguri—leaving over 69,085 families vulnerable. All 18 Revenue Circles and 45 Agriculture Development Officers are currently on alert and monitoring the unfolding crisis.

“BTC is fully committed to its farmers,” Boro declared, noting that agriculture remains a top priority for the council. “The transaction volume in the agriculture department has grown from ₹1,990 crore to over ₹3,000 crore, which reflects the sector’s increasing importance in BTR.”

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Highlighting the lack of rainwater harvesting infrastructure in the region, Boro said that BTC is currently entirely dependent on natural rainfall. He warned that if rains do not arrive by August 15, immediate support will be extended to the 69,000 worst-affected farmers in the first phase, ultimately aiming to cover 1,66,600 farmers across the region.

The BTC government plans to provide seeds, tools, and machinery for cultivating alternative crops such as pulses, maize, mushroom, black gram, lentils, peas, mustard, and other horticultural products. Application forms for assistance will be made available at local agriculture offices within the next five days.

Looking ahead, Boro also announced that BTC will initiate efforts to install irrigation systems throughout the region starting next year to reduce dependence on rainfall and enhance climate resilience.