From the cosy confines of Dispur, it is not possible to feel the worries of farmers or even appreicate their yield. That was the message that Asom Agriculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma today seemed to be sending across to the MLAs when she asked them to take the trouble of visiting the agricultural fields of the State and ensure that the toiling farmers were not deprived of their dues. Agricultural growth in Asom is just 0.27 per cent, while the Centre wants it to be not less than 2.5 per cent. Identifying the reasons behind the low agricultural growth rate in the State, Brahma today told the State Assembly that the people of upper Asom were not interested in agriculture though they had vast tracts of cultivable land. "The people of upper Asom are busy with tea, oil, coal etc. Had the people of upper Asom given importance to agriculture in the same manner as the people of lower Asom have, agricultural growth rate in the State would have been much higher,' she said. Replying to a cut motion moved by the Opposition, Brahma said sustainable development will continue to elude the State if agriculture-based industries are not set up in the State in the right earnest. On the fall in production of rice in the State, the minister said with the fast rise in population, the area of cultivable land is shrinking and the productivity of soil too is decreasing. "Taking that in view, we have laid stress on multiple cropping and cash crops. We have already set up ginger zones in Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Jorhat and Sadia. Out target is to export 120 quintals ginger to European countries next year,' Brahma said, and added: "We have expanded the cultivation area of joha rice in order to meet the demand received from a Dubai-based company.' The minister appealed to the MLAs, regardless of the party they belong to, to go to the agricultural fields and check out whether the farmers are getting materials like seeds, diesel etc that are being supplied by the Government.