Guwahati, July 6: In a significant move aimed at promoting rural entrepreneurship and improving the ease of doing business, the Assam government has introduced a special provision allowing rural youth to utilise agricultural land for select non-agricultural economic activities, subject to regulatory permissions.
The initiative is designed to encourage self-employment, startup development, and local enterprise creation in rural areas, while ensuring that land use changes are carried out in a regulated and sustainable manner.
Officials stated that the policy aims to unlock economic potential in villages by enabling young entrepreneurs to set up small-scale ventures, agri-based industries, and allied activities closer to their communities. The move is expected to reduce migration pressure to urban centres and create local employment opportunities.
The government has emphasised that all activities under this provision will remain subject to applicable land use norms, environmental safeguards, and administrative approvals to ensure balanced development and protection of agricultural interests.
State authorities believe the reform will strengthen Assam’s ease of doing business framework by simplifying access to resources for rural youth and encouraging innovation at the grassroots level.
Further guidelines and implementation details are expected to be issued by the concerned departments in a phased manner.