Agartala: Tripura has commenced its month-long paddy procurement drive, with Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath inaugurating the process on Thursday from Madhabari in West Tripura district.
This season, the state government aims to procure 21,000 metric tonnes of paddy directly from farmers at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 23 per kilogram, up from last year’s MSP of Rs. 21.83 per kilogram.
The procurement will take place across 51 centres.
Chowdhury highlighted the government’s commitment to boosting the rural economy by ensuring direct procurement from farmers, a practice initiated after the BJP came to power in Tripura.
“The previous regime failed to implement such initiatives for the welfare of the largely marginalised farming community,” he said.
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Since 2018, the state government has spent Rs. 397 crore on paddy procurement, benefitting 1,07,000 farmers.
Despite the challenges posed by September’s floods, Chowdhury expressed optimism about meeting the target
The ministers also emphasised the government’s efforts to uplift farmers through schemes like the PM-Kisan program, under which each registered farmer receives Rs. 6,000 annually in three installments.
Agriculture Minister Nath urged farmers to maximize land utilization, citing the limited availability of cultivable land in the state.
“In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to double farmers’ income, we are providing comprehensive support to make farmers self-reliant. Farmers should utilise every inch of land for their benefit,” Nath said.
He noted that the average monthly income of farmers in Tripura has risen significantly, from Rs. 6,580 in 2018 to Rs. 13,590 in 2023.
Nath also assured financial assistance to farmers affected by the recent floods.
The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening Tripura’s agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of its farmers.
