SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (STED) PROJECT,

DISTRICT : BONGAIGAON & GOALPARA, ASSAM

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED) project is a project under the Scheme of Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Scheme launched in 1985 by the NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOARD under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. This scheme endeavors to map the available material, resources in industrially backward regions and prepare a basket of technically feasible and economically viable project profiles of enterprises that could be promoted by local Science and Technology Entrepreneurs, and thereafter tapping of hitherto un-utilized / underutilized resources through enterprise formation. 

  AIM & OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT:

The aim of the project is to bring about the socio economic development of the selected districts through promoting income oriented activities of the potential entrepreneurs by matching the material and human resources of the district with science and technology inputs. Therefore, the main objectives of the project are-

• To develop entrepreneurship in all possible sectors with special thrust on small enterprises involving science and technology inputs
• To create sustainable employment through science and technology inputs
• To mitigate the soaring unemployment problem by equipping the unemployment
• youths with appropriate skill development programmes

STED PROJECT LOCATON

BONGAIGAON:

GOALPARA

  DATE OF SANCTION OF THE PROJECT(Boangaigaon):

Date of sanction of the project is 29^th March 2006 vide letter no.10/04/2005-NEB and the Date of formal operation of the project is 12^th July 2006. 

ABOUT THE DISTRICT BONGAIGAON:

Bongaigaon is a Bodo word which means “a group of villagers”. It was formed on 29th of September 1989 curving some areas of Goalpara and Kokrajhar districts. The Bongaigaon district is situated in the western part of the State of Assam bounded by the districts of Kokrajhar, Gaolpara, Barpeta and the foot hills of Bhutan. Bongaigaon is the Headquarters of the district. The district has three Sub-divisions viz., 1. Bongaigaon with Headquarters at Bongaigaon, 2. North-Salmara, with its Headquarters at Abhayapuri and 3. Bijini, with its Headquarter at Bijini. The town committees and municipal bodies are also in existence in the three sub-divisions. Besides, Gram-Panchayat, Anchalik Panchayat and Zila Parishad are also functioning in the district.

  The original Goalpara district was first created in 1822 A.D. by David Scott- an employee of East India Company.

Bongaigaon with Koch-Rajbongchies and Kocharies since its origin and along with those of Ravas, Garos, Yogis, Kalitas, Kayasthas and older Muslims as indigenous communities, has a population of 9, 06,315 people, among which 4, 65,970 are male and 4, 40,345 are female, which is high enough and growing every year. The literacy rate is 38.61 per cent which has been achieved after the establishment of many educational institutes in the pre-independent and post-independent period.

  The District falls within latitude 26 degrees 28 minutes north to 26 degree 54 minute north & longitude 89 degree 42 minute east to 90 degree 96 minute east. The topography of the district is generally plain. A few small hills here and there cover the district. The mighty Brahmaputra River flows along the southern boundary, and its tributary Aie River also flows through the district besides many small rivulets and streams. The climate of the district is moderate during winter and summer. It is hot and humid from May to October with temperature varying from 13 to 32 degree Celsius. Monsoon starts in the district from April. The heaviest rain fall occurs during the month of May to August. The average rain fall is in between 250 to 350 cm. The soil of the district is alluvial and fertile in general and is a mixture of red and black soil with PH 5.5 to 6.5. The soil has the capacity to grow Paddy, Jute, Mustard, Sugarcane, Pulses, Tea, Vegetables, etc. The inhabitants of the district are mostly agriculturists but are also engaged in other activities like cottage and household industries, other industries, trade and services etc.

  Bongaigaon town is well connected with Railways rout from East to West of the country. Six numbers of Railway stations are situated in the district i.e., 1. Bongaigaon, 2. New Bongagaon 3. Patiladaha,  4. Bijini 5. Chaprakata, and 6. Dangtola

  Roadways are the main communication link in the district although a large no of villages are still inaccessible in the absence of any roads. Three  National Highways i.e., No. 31, 31(B) and 31(C), pass through the district.  

Now let us ponder over numeric analysis which are tabulated as:-

• Detail of Achievement(Bongaigaon)

   Check relevant images of the project at

• STED SNAPS(Bongaigaon)

ABOUT THE DISTRICT GOALPARA

Goalpara district was created in the year 1983 with two sub-divisions Goalpara(Sadar) & North Salmara(Civil) sub-division.

The total area of district is 1,824 sq. km. The district is bounded by Garo Hills in the south and Kamrup District in the East, Dhubri District in the West and Brahmaputra river all along the North. The district is located between latitudes 25.53 degree and 26.30 degree North and longitudes 90.07 degree and 91.05 degree East.

As per 2001 census, the total population of the district is 8,22,306 (Male - 4,20,707 and Female - 4,01,599). The density of population is 451 per sq km againest the state avarage of 340 per sq km. Out of the total population of the district ; approximately 1,20,000 belong to ST and about 40,000 to the SC communities ( As per 1991 census).

The industrially backward district does not have an industry to worth its name. An industrial growth centre has been proposed at Matia. The economy of the district is about 90 percent agrarian.

Scope in the Goalpara District

Generating productivity,sustainable employment for growing population is one of the most urgent concerns in India. From the discussion with the different officials, it has come out that the Goalpara has immense opportunity in playing the important role in generating the employment in firm and non-firm sector in rural areas.

The agriculture practice is predominantly traditional and uses of traditional agriculture tools are common and there is enough scope for development of farm mechanization in the district. The main reason for the poor development is the lack of irrigation facilities, small land holding and farmers reluctance to adopt new technology

Since the district has good agricultural growth, agro based industries have good possibilities in the industrial sector. The predominant economic activities in the district are sericulture activities( 281 villages of Balijana, Matia, and Rangjuli blocks), Pati making (Dubapara area of Matia Block), Carpet making (Lakhipur), Horticulture (In Matia, Rangjuli,Balijana, & Krishnai Block), Bamboo sticks (In Dudhnoi, Amjonga area), Teracota(In Dubapara, chunari area), Furniture making and Dairy activity (In almost all the blocks)

Besides these, piggery, goatery, food grain processing, handloom, tailoring, small business etc, are the main activities of the district.

The area which have a good scope for development are Agro-processing unit, Food processing unit, Artisans schemes insector like handicraft, patisilpa, pottery, gold smithy etc. Sericulture area like Eri, Muga culture, Plantation like Teak, rubber, bamboo, etc

Area of the district : 1824 sq. km.

Head Quarter of the district : Goalpara

Distance from Guwahati : 150 km

Number of subdivision : 1

Name of subdivision : Goalpara subdivision

Total no of village : 854

Rivers in the District : Brahmaputra, Dudhnoi, Krishnai, Jinjiram and Jinary