Assam Agricultural University - Open & Distance Learning

29/09/2026

An initiative has been undertaken by AAU-ODL to develop value-added makhana food products with members of the Rooftop Greens Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

Accordingly, today, on 29th September 2026, the team visited the makhana processing unit of Mr. Amar Gupta to procure makhana for preparing various makhana-based products. The team was led by Dr. Ranjita Bezbaruah, Scientist, AAU-ODL.

This marks a new beginning for a few members of the society, who have taken the initiative to develop and market value-added products using raw materials procured from Mr. Amar Gupta. All the members involved are learners enrolled in various courses offered by AAU-ODL.

25/09/2026

AAU-ODL learner Mrs. Kanaklata Das participated in an exhibition held at NEDFi House, where she showcased her innovative product, Coconut Laddu prepared with Makhana. More than 20 stalls participated in the exhibition, providing a platform for learners and entrepreneurs to display their products and ideas.

During the event, Dr. Ranjita Bezbaruah, scientist , AAU-ODL also interacted with the participants and highlighted the various AAU-ODL courses. The participants showed keen interest in learning more about the courses and expressed their enthusiasm about the opportunities offered through AAU-ODL.

19/09/2026

Makhana, a superfood known as “Black Gold,” has been scientifically cultivated by an AAU-ODL learner, Mr. Amar Gupta, at Durung, Kamrup, with proper guidance from the Director, AAU-ODL, Dr. R. K. Thakuria.

Mr. Gupta was an advocate, but he left his career and started makhana cultivation and popping in his industry, which was established in February 2026 at Topatali, Kamrup. He has produced a huge quantity of popped makhana using a popping machine.

Therefore, other ODL learners also gathered on 18.09.2026 at the AAU-ODL office, as they are interested in using the popped makhana for preparing various protein-rich foods and bakery items. Mr. Tailukya Dutta, an expert in developing flavoured makhana, was also present on the occasion.

Mr. Amar Gupta gifted one packet of makhana to each participant for testing its quality. This is a new beginning for AAU-ODL towards making value-added popped makhana available to society.

11/09/2026

Today, Dr. R. K. Thakuria, Director, AAU-ODL, and Dr. R. Bezbaruah, Scientist, AAU-ODL, visited the Makhana plot of Amar Gupta, an AAU-ODL learner, at Durung, Sonapur, and his industry at Topatoli, along with Arup Sandilya, an agri-based journalist; Er. Rupam Barthakur, a senior innovator and entrepreneur, and his son Er. Ankur Barthakur, a software engineer involved in designing and innovation; and Mrs. Kanaklata Das,a successful entrepreneur in Assam-based bakery and confectionery products and proprietor of Gopalbhog Jalpan.

It gave immense pleasure to everyone, as seeing is believing—Makhana cultivation and machine popping are indeed possible in Assam. Mr. Gupta in this regard deserves appreciation as he has made makhana popping possible for the first time in Assam. Being experienced in Makhana cultivation and processing through reseaches conducted at Assam Agricultural University Dr. R K Thakuria has guided Mr. Gupta in every aspect of makhana cultivation .

10/09/2026

The Directorate of Open & Distance Learning, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, successfully organized the Hands-on Practical classes followed by Valedictory & Certificate Distribution Programme for the Short-Term Course on “Waste Recycling & Vermicompost Production Technology” after completion of the online classes. The course commenced from 21st July, 2026 to 10th September, 2026, under the guidance Dr. Bikram Borkotoki, Scientist, Department of Soil Science, AICRPDA, BNCA, AAU, Jorhat, who served as the Course Director and Course Teacher; and Dr. Palakshi Borah, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, BNCA, AAU, Jorhat, who served as a course coordinator and course teacher along with Dr. Nandita Baruah, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, BNCA, AAU, Jorhat and Dr. Tantuja Nandi, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, BNCA, AAU, Jorhat as the course teachers.
The hands-on practical provided learners with practical knowledge and skills in various aspects of waste recycling & vermicompost production. The Valedictory Session was graced by Dr. Pallav Kumar Sharma, Chief Scientist, AICRPDA, BNCA, AAU, Dr. Indrajit Barman, Academic Cell In charge of BNCA, AAU, Dr. Birinchi Kumar Bora, Professor and i/c Head Department of Entomology, BNCA, AAU & AAU-ODL management committee coordinator representing other colleges of AAU. The dignitaries encouraged the learners to utilize their acquired skills for entrepreneurship and livelihood generation.
The programme concluded with Valedictory Session and Certificate Distribution Ceremony. Nine learners were awarded the certificates who attended the hands-on practical classes and successfully completed the course.

09/09/2026

Important Announcement for Learners

Dear Learners,

A valuable opportunity has been announced under the Mission for Aatmanirbharata in Pulses by the Agriculture Department, Government of Assam.

🌱 Subsidy/Grant for Establishment of Dal Mill Units

Eligible Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) involved in pulse production can apply for financial assistance.

💰 Key Benefits

50% of the project cost or up to ₹25 lakh, whichever is lower.
Assistance is available for new Dal processing and packaging units.
1. Minimum unit capacity: 300 kg/hour.
2. Support is provided for plant and machinery; land, building, electricity and labour costs are not covered.
3. Eligible applicants may also avail loan facilities under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for the remaining project cost.

📌Interested learners are requested to take note of this opportunity and share it with eligible farmers, FPOs, SHGs and PACS in their network.

📞 For applications and further details, contact your Circle Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) or District Agriculture Officer (DAO) office.

Don’t miss this opportunity to promote value addition and self-employment in the pulses sector!🌾

03/09/2026

We were pleased to welcome Amar Gupta, an AAU-ODL learner and entrepreneur engaged in makhana production, and Kanaklata Das Mudoi, an AAU-ODL learner and entrepreneur running two outlets of Gopalbhog Jolpan, offering traditional Assamese pitha, laddu and varieties of traditional products through instant preparation.

They visited the AAU-ODL Office today for meaningful discussions on their entrepreneurial activities and experiences. It was a pleasure to interact with them and exchange valuable ideas.

02/09/2026

Great Opportunity for Women-led Enterprises in Assam!

Are you a woman entrepreneur / SHG member in Assam looking to grow your business? This could be an opportunity worth exploring! 💼✨

Under Assam Incubation Project 2.0, women-led enterprises can receive incubation support with total funding of up to ₹1.05 crore.

🎯 Key Benefits

✅ Financial assistance through grants & soft loans up to ₹15 lakh
✅ Bank linkage & credit facilitation
✅ 100% formalization support
✅ Capacity building & expert mentorship
✅ Domain-specific training
✅ Business planning & enterprise development support
✅ Access to markets — online & offline

👩‍💼 Eligibility

🔹 Registered women SHG members
🔹 Permanent residents of Assam
🔹 Annual turnover above ₹12 lakh
🔹 Must have a LokOS Code

🏭 Sectors: Manufacturing & Services

📅 Application deadline: 2 October 2026

🌐 Apply: www.asomincubation.com
📞 Contact: 69136 48114
📧 Email: [email protected]

👉 Share this post with women entrepreneurs and SHG members who could benefit from this opportunity!

27/08/2026

The Directorate of Open & Distance Learning, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, successfully organized the Hands-on Training followed by the Valedictory & Certificate Distribution Programme for the Short-Term Course on “Mushroom Production Technology.” The course commenced on 21 july, 2026, under the guidance of Dr. Supriya Sharma, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, AAU, Jorhat, who served as the Course Director and Course Teacher; and Dr. Apurba Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Sericulture, AAU, Jorhat who served as a course coordinator and course teacher.

The hands-on training provided learners with practical knowledge and skills in various aspects of mushroom production. The Valedictory Session was graced by Sri Damodar Barman, Registrar, AAU, Jorhat; Dr. Anup Kumar Das, Director of Post Graduate Studies, AAU, Jorhat; Dr. Palash Deb Nath, Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology, AAU, Jorhat; Dr. Prakash Kalita, Professor, Department of Crop Physiology and Coordinator for Faculties of Agriculture & Community Science, AAU-ODL; Dr. Ramani Kanta Thakuria, Director, AAU-ODL; Dr. Ranjita Bezbaruah, Scientist, AAU-ODL; Dr. Ranjit Kr. Saud, Associate Director of Extension Education, AAU, Jorhat; Dr. Manoj Kumar Kalita, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, AAU, Jorhat; Dr. Swapnali Bora, Professor, Department of Resource Management and Consumer Science and Member of the Advisory Board, AAU-ODL; and Dr. Mahima Begum, Associate Professor, Department of Sericulture, AAU, Jorhat and Member of the Advisory Board, AAU-ODL. The dignitaries encouraged the learners to utilize their acquired skills for entrepreneurship and livelihood generation.

The programme concluded with the Certificate Distribution Ceremony, where 41 learners who successfully completed the course were awarded certificates.

25/08/2026

প্ৰকৃতিৰ সেৱা কৰাৰ লগতে নিজেও আৰ্থিক ভাৱে উপকৃত হোৱাৰ বাবে কৃষি বনানীকৰণ এটা বাস্তৱসন্মত সুন্দৰ ধাৰণা। সকলোশ্ৰেণীৰ লোকেই জড়িত হোৱাৰ সুযোগ থকা উক্ত বিষয়টোৰ সন্দৰ্ভত এটি সৰল আৰু স্পষ্ট আলোচনা চমুকৈ আগবঢ়াইছে অসম কৃষি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ৰ অন্তৰ্গত মুক্ত আৰু দূৰ শিক্ষা সঞ্চালকালয়ৰ এগৰাকী বিজ্ঞানী ড° ৰঞ্জিতা বেজবৰুৱাই।

প্ৰকৃতিৰ সেৱা কৰাৰ লগতে নিজেও আৰ্থিক ভাৱে উপকৃত হোৱাৰ বাবে কৃষি বন...