Dibrugarh which is the headquarter of the district derives its name from Dibarumukh. The name derived from the mouth (mukh) of the river Dibaru or Dibru (Bodo word Dibru, a blister). During the reign of Siuhungmung, Pharsengmung Borgohain, Chao Siulung, Kilong fought against the Chutiya King who was defeated in the battle and surrendered before the Ahom King. Dibarumukh was a renowned encampment of Ahoms during Ahom Chutia War. Tao Konkham of Dibarumukh was made by Buragohain during the reign of Siukhampha alias Khora Raja. Dibarumukh was the encampment of Pani Phukan during the reign of Rudrasimha against the Kacharis.

The District of Dibrugarh nestling in the Eastern most part of Assam, is surrounded by Dhemaji district and a part of Lakhimpur district in the North, part of Sivasagar district and Arunachal Pradesh in the South, Tinsukia district in the East and Sivasagar district in the West. The river Brahmaputra flows down from the North from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh towards the Western part of Assam. Dibrugarh town, the district  headquarter, is located on the Southern bank of the river Brahmaputra and comprises of only one sadar sub-division and no independent sub-division. Broad Gauge Railway line of NF Railways traversing through Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and other districts connect Dibrugarh with the rest of the state and the country. The NH-37 is the only arterial Highway running through the dist. The road distance from Dibrugarh to State capital Dispur is 443 kms.  The Airport near the district Headquarter is Mohanbari Airport located at a distance of about 16 Km from Dibrugarh town. This Airport is linked with Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, besides with Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Airlines and other domestic flights operate through this Airport. Besides , the Air force field at Chabua is at a distance of about 25 Km from Dibrugarh and is also used for Air link with other important towns of the North-East and Kolkata. The entire district consists of only one Civil Sub division. There are 7 Blocks, comprising of 93 Gaon Panchayats and 1333 Revenue Villages (census, 2011).  However, the district has 2 Agril Subdivisions with headquater at Dibrugarh and Joypur. Oil and tea are the two major industries of the district. The field headquarter of Oil India Ltd is located at Duliajan at a distance of about 50 KM from Dibrugarh town and some of the major Tea Companies of the Country have set up. The location of Dibrugarh district is shown in Fig 1a &1b

Fig.1(a) Location of Dibrugarh District in Assam

Source: (Source: www.mapsofindia.com)

Fig.1(b) Location of Dibrugarh District

Source: (Source: )

Population data of the district:

Population data (2011 census)

Population density: 392 people per sq km in 2011 as against 351 per sq km in 2001

Large farmers: 0.18%  of total families and are possessing 2.50% area.

Medium farmers: 0.90% and are holding 3.30% area.

Semi medium farmers : 9.42% and are possessing 31.15% area.

Small farmers: 17.3% who are holding 28.6% area.

Marginal farmers : 72.18% who are having 34.40% area.

Literacy rate : 78.05 in 2011 as against 68.96 in 2001. Male and female literacy are 82.82 and 68.99 in 2011 as against 77.30 and 59.95 in 2001

Climate:

Climate of the district can be divided into four distinct seasons viz. pre-monsoon, monsoon, post monsoon and winter. On the basis of 10 years data from 2000 to 2010, the average annual rainfall received is around 2751.02 mm (Source: Upper Assam Tea Research Association, Dikom, Dibrugarh). About 25 % of total annual precipitation is received during pre-monsoon (March to May) period. The monsoon (June to August) period gets around 53 % of the total annual precipitation. The post monsoon season (Sept to Nov) receives around 18 % rainfall. The winter season (Dec to Feb) characterized by low temperature and scanty rainfall with cool breeze receives around 4 % of the total annual rainfall. Monthly and decadal average of weather data is shown in Table 1 & 2

Table 1: Average Monthly Rainfall in Dibrugarh district , 2011-12: (In mm)

Source: * Upper Assam Tea Research Association, Dikom ** AWS reading in KVK Dibrugarh

Table 2: Decadal average of weather data 1988-2010

Source: Upper Assam Tea Research Association, Dikom

*  Average of 3 years data only (i.e. 1988-1990)

Occurrence of floods is a very regular phenomenon in some parts of the district. Flood causes tremendous damage to agricultural crops, livestock, fisheries and human habitations. Sporadic occurrence of drought is also observed in some parts of the district especially in winter months.

Topography and Agro climatic characteristics

The State has delineated into 6 Agro Climatic zones on the basis of Physiography, Climate, Soil, Crops and cropping patterns. The district comes under the Upper Brahmaputra valley zone and it occupies 20% area of the zone. Based on cropping pattern, soil, Physiography and flood occurrence the district has been divided into 3 different Agro Ecological Situations, with a view to generate location specific Technology to meet the needs of farmers. The situations are, AES-I (Humid Alluvial Flood Prone) AES-II (Humid Alluvial Flood Free) and AES-III (Sub Humid Alluvial Flood Free).  The highest area i.e. 1,87,750 ha viz.56.40% of the total cultivable area of district is covered by AES-I (Humid Alluvial Flood prone), followed by AES-II (Humid Alluvial Flood Free), which covered 1,00,225 ha viz 30.1% and AES –III (Sub Humid Alluvial Flood free) is covered 45,061 ha i.e.13.5% of the district. Almost partial area of all 7 blocks falls more or less in all 3 situations. The spread of AES in the district is presented in the table 3 and figure 2.

Table 2.1:  Spread of AES in the district

Source – ATMA, Dibrugarh

Figure 2: Spread of AES on the map of district

Forests :

Dibrugarh has rich flora and fauna in the surrounding wildlife sanctuaries and rainforests.

a) Jokai Botanical Garden cum Germplasm Center

Jokai Botanical Garden cum Germplasm Center spread over an area of 1.2 Ha. amidst Jokai Reserve Forest is 12 km from Dibrugarh town on Mancotta-Khamtighat road. Apart from the storehouse of germplasm of some of the valuable and endangered species of flora of this region, the center is a showcase of what this region has in terms of floral biodiversity. The various zones of this center include Orchid house, Medicinal and aromatic plants plot, Rainforest specimen plot, a water pond etc.

Added attractions to visit this botanical garden are Elephant ride to have an overview of the richness of Jokai Reserve Forest, a retreat to scenic beauty of Era-suti along northern boundary of Jokai Reserve Forest famous for migratory birds.

The work of developing trekking routes inside Jokai reserve forest and introduction of boating facilities at Era-suti is in progress to ensure that a tourist has a complete date with nature here.

b) Dibru – Saikhowa National Park

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is located at about 42 km north of Dibrugarh town of Assam covering an area of 350 km2. It lies between 27°30' N to 27°45' N latitude and 95°10' E to 95°45'E longitude at an average altitude of 118 m (range 110-126m). It is also a biosphere reserve. The park bounded is by the Brahmaputra and Lohit rivers in the north and Dibru river in the south. It is situated in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia District of Assam. It mainly consists of wet evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forest, canebrakes and grasslands. It is the largest salix swamp forest in north east India. Situated in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra and the Lohit, at an altitude of 118 m above sea level, Dibru-Saikhowa is a safe haven for many endangered species. Due to the auto stocking by the Brahmaputra and Dibru river, it is rich in fish diversity. Dibru Saikhowa has tropical monsoon climate with a hot and wet summer and cool and usually dry winter. The annual rainfall ranges from 2300 mm to 3800 mm. The main rainy months are June, July, August, and September. The average coldest and warmest temperature of the area ranges from 7 °C to 34 °C where June, July and August are the hottest while December and January are the coolest months.

 c) Joypur Rainforest

Situated 60 km southeast of Dibrugarh town in eastern Assam, Jeypore Rainforest is India's easternmost rainforest, one of very few wildlife reserves on earth housing seven wildcat species including Royal Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, common leopard, golden cat and marbled cat.[54] Jeypore reserve forest and Dilli reserve forest combine to be the only rain forest area in the state spread across the three of upper Assam's districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sibsagar comprising a total area of 575 km2. The forest is listed to be the last lowland forests under the Assam valley wet evergreen forest area in the region.

d) Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuaries

The Dehing Patkai rainforest,with an area of 111.19 km2 is located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts and is famous for Assam Valley Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests bordering Arunachal Pradesh. A part of the 575 km2Jeypore, spread across three eastern Assam districts, forms the Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a part of the Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve having the World War II cemeteries nearby, along with the Stillwell Road and the oldest refinery of Asia in Digboi and 'open cast' coal mining at Lido.

Water resources:

Almost 90% of cultivated area is rainfed in the district. Since most of the crops are raised as rain fed water resource management is one of the key factors for determining the yield. Though the district enjoys an abundant of rainfall (2076mm per annum) but the uneven distribution of rainfall over time spread of the year is major limiting factor in crop production in absence of a efficient and suitable water resource management system.  Watershed management, rainwater harvesting and ground water recharge can help the augment water availability in rain-fed areas.

On the other hand, the district has flood prone area of approximately 45061 ha, where unpredicted flood not only directly damages the standing crops but also leads to water stagnation, silt deposition and erosion causing serious threat to crop cultivation.

Rivers

Brahmaputra, the mighty river  flows for a length of 95 km through the northern margin of the district, to the Patkai foothills on the south. The Burhi Dihing, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra with its network of tributaries and wetlands flows through the district from east to west. Sessa another tributaries of Burhi Dihing creates havoc in summer due to flood.  Besides these there are Streams and many Beels and marshy lands.

Transport

(a) Air

Mohanbari Airport, which is located around 15 km from the city. Airlines operating from the airport are Air India, IndiGo, JetKonnect and Pawan Hans

Ltd. IndiGo Airlines connects Dibrugarh daily with Delhi via Kolkata and another non-stop to Delhi while in return via Guwahati. Jet Airways (JetKonnect) connects Dibrugarh daily with Delhi via Guwahati. The Airports Authority of India is planning to make Mohanbari Airport an air hub for the northeastern region, along with Guwahati and Agartala. Dibrugarh airport is the third airport in entire Eastern India after Kolkata and Guwahati to have the facility of boarding in and disembarking from aircraft through aerobridges.

(b) Rail

Dibrugarh holds a prominent place in the history of Indian Railways with the first railway services of the entire North-East India starting from here. On 1 May 1882, the first train rolled down the tracks from Streamerghat at Dibrugarh. On 15 May 1882, it was extended up to Dinjan. On 23 December that year goods train up to Chabua was introduced. On 18 February 1884, at 7:20 am, the then Chief Commissioner of Assam Sir Charles Illiot flagged off the first passenger train from Reehabari rail station (now Dibrugarh Townrailway station) to Ledo with 400 European and Indian passengers. As per the Centenary Souvenir of the Assam Railways and Trading Company Limited published in 1991, the said company, being the pioneer in building Dibru-Sadiya railways, described the entire history of railway development from Dibrugarh.Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express standing at Dibrugarh Town railway station.Dibrugarh Town and Dibrugarh are two railway stations of the city and also two of the important Easternmost railway stations on the map of the Indian Railways connected to some of the important Indian cities like Bangalore, Chennai,  Kochi, Quilon, Trivandrum, Kolkata, Delhi, Kanyakumari etc. through the railways network. The new Dibrugarh railway station has been developed on the outskirts of the town at Banipur. It is the biggest railway station in the entire north east spreading over 400 bighas of land and it is 2 km in length. One goods yard is also being developed for loading and unloading of goods along with a truck shed, which can accommodate 25 trucks at a time. Dibrugarh is also the only non-capital city in India to have the Rajdhani Express originating from and terminating in it daily. Twenty Rajdhani Express trains (10 from Dibrugarh and 10 from New Delhi) connect Dibrugarh with the national capital of New Delhi on a weekly basis. Moreover, the Vivek Express, named after Swami Vivekanda, which connects Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari, is now the longest train service in India, covering a distance of 4278 km in five days. Important trains that run from Dibrugarh are Vivek Express, Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, Kamrup Express, Brahmaputra Mail, Dibrugarh - Chennai Egmore Express, Dibrugarh-Bangalore Express, Amritsar-Dibrugarh Express, Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express, Dibrugarh-Kolkata Superfast Express etc.

The Bogibeel Bridge, a 5-km long megastructure 17 km from Dibrugarh is under construction. Comprising a double-track broad gauge rail line on the lower deck and a four-lane expressway on the upper deck, the bridge will be a lifeline to the region as it creates a vital crossing point across the Brahmaputra in the Upper Assam Valley. Dibrugarh city will benefit directly from the bridge as its railway station is being expanded to become the biggest in the region.

(c) Road

City roads in Dibrugarh are smooth and well lit up with street lights. However, keeping in view the rapidly increasing numbers of commercial and private vehicles in the city, urgent steps are required to widen some of the existing roads particularly the T.R. Phukan Road and the Convoy Road. There are two flyovers in the city; although two more seems necessary; one at the intersection of Convoy Road with N.H. 37 and the other at the intersection of L.B.T. Road with N.H. 37 at Lahowal. As parts of the city frequently get inundated in flash floods during the monsoon season mainly in the months of June, July and August, city roads are being constructed with concrete. It is said that Dibrugarh is the first city in the Northeast to have introduced city bus service more than half a century back sometime in 1956. Up till the mid-1990s, City Buses and cycle rickshaws were the main modes of urban transport. Later, 'Vikram', 'Minidor', 'Champion' etc. three-wheelers were also introduced as means of urban transport.

Dibrugarh has three bus terminuses. ASTC bus terminus at Chowkidinghee, Muralidhar Jalan Bus Terminus at Malakhubasa and AMCH bus terminus at Borbari near the AMCH gate. For inter-city journey, luxury buses includingVolvo buses plying between important destinations within Assam and other neighbouring states at frequent interval are available.

National Highways Authority of India is proposing to make Dibrugarh, a NHAI hub after the completion of Bogibeel Bridge. Dibrugarh is connected to the rest of India by NH-37. After the completion of Bogibeel Bridge, it will be connected to northern bank of the Brahmaputra by NH-52(B). A new bypass is being constructed to ease traffic movement within the city area near Jameera. A new flyover has also come up along the NH-37 over the newly developed Dibrugarh-Moran rail line near Dibrugarh University.

Waterways

Dibrugarh also possesses a developed waterway transportation system along and across the Brahmaputra river, known as the National Waterway-2 which extends from Bangladesh Border to Sadiya. Ferry services link Dibrugarh with Sengajan (Dhemaji District), Panbari ( Dhemaji) & Oiram Ghat (near Jonai Dhemaji). From Bogibeel IWT Ghat there are regular ferry Services to Kareng Chapori & Sisi Mukh. Moreover, luxury cruise services are also available from Dibrugarh to Guwahati. The cruise to Dibrugarh passes through Tezpur and the Kaziranga National Park.

DEMOGRAPHY :   

Dibrugarh is considered as an economic hub of North East region of India. Dibrugarh is at the centre of economic activities dominated by the following industries:

(a) Oil and natural gas

(b)  Tea production

(c)  Tourism

(d)  Power generation

(e)  Fertilizer

(f)  Cottage industry

OIL

It was in Digboi, 50 miles (80 km) from Dibrugarh, that the first oil well was dug during the British era. Today, Duliajan, Dikom, Tengakhat and Moran are the key locations for oil and gas industry in the district. Oil India Limited, the second such public sector company in India engaged in exploration and transportation of crude oil has its field’s headquarters in Duliajan, at a distance of 50 km from Dibrugarh city. The company was granted the coveted Navratna status by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Govt. of India in 2010.

AGCL

The Assam Gas Company Limited, a state public sector undertaking engaged in the distribution of natural gas functions with its headquarters in Duliajan.

BCPL

The Assam Gas Cracker Project, also known as Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, was proposed as a part of implementation of Assam Accord signed by Government of India on 15 August 1985. 2nd largest Nitrogen plant in India by Linde India Ltd.The Assam Gas Cracker Project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in its meeting held on 18 April 2006, The site selected for Assam Gas Cracker Project is at Lepetkata, 15 km from Dibrugarh onNH-37. A joint-venture agreement was signed on 18 October 2006, and the company Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited was registered on 8 January 2007. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation stone of this project on 9 April 2007. However, till date work has not been completed. 

DNPL

Duliajan Numaligarh Pipeline Ltd is a joint venture company promoted by Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL), Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and Oil India Limited (OIL) with equity participation of 51 per cent, 26 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. The Duliajan-Numaligarh pipeline will be the first major cross-country natural gas pipeline in Assam and once the availability of natural gas is ensured, it is expected to be extended to major consumption centers of natural gas in Nagaon and Guwahati.

Tea

 Dibrugarh district boasts of the highest amount of tea production in India. There are several tea gardens dating back to the British era. The first garden was at Chabua, a place 20 miles (32 km) away from Dibrugarh, owned by Maniram Devaan. Today, the headquarters of the Directorate of Development of Small Tea Growers in India is functioning from Dibrugarh, besides a Regional Office of the Tea Board of India headed by a Deputy Director of Tea Development (Plantation) is also located in the city.

Tourism

Rail, road and air connectivity coupled with the presence of large number of tourist spots in and around Dibrugarh city has seen impressive growth of tourism industry in this part of India in recent part. Dibrugarh has also become an important destination as well as a major transit point for tourists from both India and abrod. Such tourist circuits include - Dibrugarh - Roing - Mayudia - Anini Tourist Circuit, Dibrugarh - Guwahati river cruise besides 'Tea Tourism' for tourists who prefer serenity and novelty to the hustle-bustle of established tourist destinations.

Culture

Vaishnavite Culture - Xatras

Dehing Namti Satra

Around 8 miles from the town of Naharkatia, on the banks of river Disang (under Sasoni mouza), is the age old Dehing Namti Satra of Assam. The satra was established by Binandashyam Gohain and was initially situated between the roads of Hologuri and Sariyahtoli, in Dibrugarh. The current location of one of the chief wings of the satra is at Namti in Nazira.

Dinjoy Satra

This satra was first established by a prime devotee of Gopal Atadev, Srimanta Aniruddha Dev, in a village of North Lakhimpur. It was later shifted to Khutiaputa, around the time when the Moamoria rebellion took place. During this period, Astabhuj Gosain was the head of the satra. But after his demise, this religious seat remained vacant for 14 years. Later on, Pitambar Chandra Dev was made the head. The satra fell into trouble once again at the time of Burmese invasion of India. It was finally brought to the present site of Dinjan, about 5 km from the township of Chabua, after peace returned.

Moderkhat Satra

Moderkhat Satra is actually an extension of the Dinjoy Satra and was established in the Moderkhat area of the Dibrugarh district. Chandrakantadev was the founder of this monastery. He was the brother of Sidanandadeb Dinjoy, who was the head priest of the Dinjoy Satra of Assam.

Garpara Satra

Garpara satra is older than the Dinjoy Satra itself and is situated in Rohmoria mouza, Assam. The head priest of this satra was Narimaider. In recent times, there has been a proposal of shifting the satra to a new safer location, because of soil erosion at the present site.

Dehing Satra

The ruins that are seen on the banks of the Dehing River under Larua mouza in present Dibrugarh, was a very famous satra during the rule of the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha. During the famous Moamoria revolution, the satra received royal support from Ahom King Rajeswar Singha and also from a number of other kings like Lakhi Singha and Gaurinath Singha.

Dols and Maidams

Raidangia Dol

Raidangia Dol is found in the Kalakhuwa area of Laruah mauza, under the Barbaruah Dev Block of Assam. Established in 700 AD, by Swargodeo Pramatta Singha, the place was originally dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. Later on, it became famous as Shiva dol. The dol contains relics of the powerful Ahom Kingdom. Initially, 24 statues were found engraved on the walls of the temple, but now only 14 of them are to be found. There is a large pond situated just adjacent to the temple. It is said that the dol, along with the pond and 200 pura, was given as a dowry when Swargadeo Pramatta Singha married his sister to Raidnogia Barua.

Barbarua Maidam

At a distance of 14 km to the south of Dibrugarh, just adjacent to the NH37, there are two ancient graveyards that were raised to honour two officials of the Ahom Dynasty. Historian Sarbananda Rajkumar believes that these two maidams or graveyards were erected for Bura Dihinigia Barbarua and Deka Dihingia Barbarua. Apart from these, there are several other smaller maidams at the same site, which were constructed to honour other soldiers of the same regime.

Sarumechlow and Bormechow Maidam

These two maidams are found in the Lengeri mouza locality of Dibrugarh city and are said to be the graveyards of Sarumechlow and Bormechow, who were the queens of King Sukhampha Khura (1552–1611) of the Ahom regime.]

Lekai Chetia Maidam

This maidam is dedicated to Lekai Chetia, an officer of the Ahom Kingdom, during the term of Swargadeo Pratapsingha. Located in the Sessa area, near Mankata road of the Dibrugarh district, the maidam has now become a revered spot in Assam.

Bahikhowa Maidam

The Bahikhowa Maidam is found in the Khowang Tea Estate area of Dibrugarh. This graveyard is dedicated to Bahikhowa Dasarath Dowerah. He was the Chief of the Army staff of Ahoms, during the reign of Swargodeo Rajeswar Singha. Apart from this huge maidam, there are several other smaller maidams located in the nearby places, but all of them are in ruins now.

Education:

The Assam Medical College as a pioneer medical college of North Eastern region is providing medical facilities as well as education to medical students.

Apart from medical, the other higher fields of learning in the district are Pharmacology, Geology and Applied Geology and Petroleum Technology. All these courses are offered by Dibrugarh University, which was established in 1965.

Beside the University, other centres for learning are:

Dibrugarh Poly-technique (offering various diploma courses in Electrical, Civil and Mechanical fields).

Regional Medical Research Centre -RMRC (a centre for scientific and research in Bio-medical sciences where major health problems and its causes are studied).

There are many prominent govt High School, Higher Secondary school, colleges are available in the districts as a learning point.

Health care sector:

Dibrugarh is one of the oldest medical townships of eastern India. The first medical college of Assam, Assam Medical College & Hospital was established in Dibrugarh on 3 November 1947 just after the culmination of the British era in India. Formerly it was known as Berry White Medical College. Also, there is a proposal to establish a nursing college in the AMCH premises.

There are large number of nursing homes and diagnostic centres offering ultra modern medical facilities. Some of the popular nursing homes are listed below.

#Aastha Hospital, Dibrugarh

#Drishti Netralaya, Amolapatty Railway Gate ( Superspeciality Eye Hospital)

#Aditya Diagnostics and Research Center, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

#Sanjivani Diagnostics and Hospital, Dibrugarh

#Dr. Damani's Nursing Home, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

#Marwari Arogya Bhawan Hospital, Paltan Bazar, Jyotinagar, Dibrugarh

#Archana Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Center, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

#Sanjivani Hospital and Research Center, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

#Srimanta Sankardeb Hospital and Research Center, Chokidinghee, Dibrugarh

#Malpani Nursing Home, Seujpur, Dibrugarh

#Srishti Nursing Home, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

#J J Memorial Hospital and Research Center, Bordoloi Avenue, Dibrugarh

#St. Vincenza Gerosa Hospital, Boiragimoth, Dibrugarh

#Astha Hospital, Graham Bazar, Dibrugarh

#Brahmaputra Hospital & diagnostic, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

#Aziz Diagnostics, Paltan Bazar Dibrugarh

#Puja Hospital, Graham Bazaar, Dibrugarh

#HM polyclinic, Dibrugarh

#Urovision Hospital, Jyoti Nagar, Dibrugarh

#Dibrugarh Diabetes Centre, Jyoti Nagar, Dibrugarh

#Asirwad Hospital, Graham Bazar, Dibrugarh

#MGM hospital, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

#GM Hospital, Jalan Nagar, Dibrugarh

#Sun Polyclinic, Paltan Bazar, Dibrugarh

Banking and allied sectors:

At present, 16 commercial banks exist in the district. There are 75 bank branches (58 of nationalized banks, 12 of regional rural bank & 5 of cooperative bank) that are functioning in the district. Apart from these, moneylenders, several SHGs/ associations & traders are also providing the loan to the farming community. There are three credit supportive schemes in operation in the district for uplift of farm families’ viz. Kishan credit cards, Government supportive credit linked schemes under Swarnajanti Gram Sworojgar Yojana (SGSY) and Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP).  NABARD is functioning from Udaipur area of Dibrugarh.

Local bodies and rural development:

Small tea growers

Catching the fancy of tea cultivation on small scale that started in late seventies under the aegis of then Janata Government in Assam a band of enthusiastic farmers/ people of Dibrugarh district also started growing the crop in their homestead. The movement seems to have revolutionized the rural economy of the district over the years as about total 19,445 (DIC, 2010-11) STG in Dibrugarh againsta totaol of  STG 65,000 (DIC, 2010-11) in Assam. Av land holding of STG in the district is 0.6-1.2 ha and Green Leaf production is13,500 kg/ ha. The establishment of KVK in 2007 with multi-disciplinary team of scientists including the one on tea husbandry and technology in the district has turned out to be a boon for small tea growers of Dibrugarh.  The KVK is now in a position to cater to seasonal technological needs of the tea growers. With increased activity of small tea growers, there is a scope for setting up of self help groups of growers which has become the need of the hour.  At present there are thirteen SHGs which have been registered with the Tea Board of India. As the highest numbers of small tea growers of the state are in Dibrugarh district, many more such groups may be formed for common benefits of the growers. Govt. of India is extending financial assistant to SHGs through Tea Board under various Plan schemes.

Farmers’ organizations

There is 1817 registered Field Management Committees (FMC). These FMCs better to say as Pathar Parisalana Samittee (PPS) in Assam has been reorganized to function in a better way. The key objective of FMC is to optimize the potentialities of fields through collective efforts of all member-farmers. The main motto is enhancement in yield of production systems related to agriculture, fishery, veterinary, sericulture etc. Besides FMC, there are many self- help groups (SHGs) duly affiliated to the District Rural Development Agency in the district.

Agricultural Scenario of the District

Introduction

As agriculture is the main occupation of the district, and a majority of the total population is dependent on agriculture, a higher economic growth is not possible without a vibrant and steady agriculture growth. A higher growth in other sectors, however desirable, can also not be sustained without significant growth in agriculture nor can it change the complexion of the economy, from backwardness to prosperity or compensate for lower growth in agriculture. The total contribution of the district in the total production of the state in respect of major crops is given below in table 4.1

Table No 4.1: % Contribution of the district to the state food basket

a) Crops :

Major crops and varieties in the district are Paddy, Oilseed, Rabi vegetables, Kharif vegetables and potato, which jointly occupies a total of 96322 ha (51.1% of gross cropped area) Paddy is grown in 41% of gross cropped area whereas potato and oilseeds together cover about 7% area. Among the horticultural crops Arecanut, Banana, Assam lemon, Turmeric and Ginger occupy the first five positions in terms of area (5805ha).

 Table 4.2 Important crop varieties grown

Horticulture crop: Vegetables, fruits like Pine apple, Papaya, spices like turmeric etc are doing mainly in homestead farming. Area under banana cultivation in recent years has covered 1800 ha. (Table 4.3)

Table 4.3: Horticulture crops grown

Tea: Although tea is not coming under pure agriculture but seeing the importance of this sector in socioeconomic upliftment of the district several measures have been undertaken by all the concerned organization. In fact income from tea gardens of Small Tea Growers (STG) is more than pure agricultural commodities. Detailed data has been provided below: 

Total area in Assam:4,80,000 ha (Tea Board, 2013-14)

Total area in Dibrugarh: 2,62,000 ha (Tea Board, 2013-14)

Total STG in Assam: 65,000 (DIC, 2010-11)

Total STG in Dibrugarh: 19,445 (DIC, 2010-11)

Av land holding of STG: 0.6-1.2 ha

Green Leaf production:13,500 kg/ ha

Made Tea production: 1562 kg/ ha

At present there are more than 20,000 STGs are working in the district. To disseminate technologies amongst the STGs, KVK also has Tea husbandry experts (SMS in THT). 

Information on rain fed and irrigated area

Out of the total cultivable area of the district, 12,420 ha (9.74%) is actually irrigated against the estimated potentiality of 13,956 (10.95%) and remaining 1, 15, 088 ha (90.26%) area is rain fed. Out of the actual irrigated area, 5.43% area is irrigated through Medium and Minor schemes of Irrigation department and   86.4% through STW, 4.5% through ponds &Tanks whereas 3.6% through others sources. Mostly Rabi vegetables & Rabi crops are grown in the area, which is irrigated by STW where as LIS irrigated areas fall in typical paddy lands where only Sali crops is practiced by harnessing the benefit in-situ moisture at critical stages & incase of drought like situation. The minor, medium and major irrigational projects are those, which are having the command area less than 200 ha, in between 200-10000ha and above 10,000 ha respectively. The data on rain fed and irrigated area of the district is shown in Table 5

Table 5: Information on irrigated & rain fed area of the district