Agriculture forms the backbone of Assam's agrarian economy, sustaining more than 70% of the state's population. Endowed with fertile alluvial soils nurtured by the mighty Brahmaputra and Barak river systems and abundant monsoon rainfall, Assam cultivates a diverse spectrum of food grains, commercial plantation crops, and horticulture products.
Major Crops of Assam:
- Rice (The Staple Crop): Grown in three distinct seasons: Ahu (autumn rice), Sali (winter rice, covering ~70% of rice acreage), and Boro (summer rice). Famous aromatic varieties include Joha and indigenous sticky rice (Bora Saul).
- Assam Tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica): Globally renowned black tea produced across over 800 large tea estates and thousands of small tea growers in Upper Assam and the Barak Valley.
- Jute & Mesta: Essential cash fiber crop grown along the Brahmaputra riverine belts (Nagaon, Barpeta, Dhubri).
- Oilseeds: Yellow and black Mustard (Toria), Sesame, and Linseed.
- Horticulture & Spices: Ginger, Turmeric, King Chilli (Bhut Jolokia), Assam Lemon (Kaji Nemu, GI Tagged), and Pineapples.