In a significant move to strengthen the agricultural sector, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister and Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury inaugurated the paddy procurement drive for the year at Madhav Bari Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) on Thursday. The initiative aims to procure 21,000 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy allocating Rs 48 crore across 51 Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs) statewide.
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of farmers. “Since 2018, over 2.76 lakh farmers in Tripura have received Rs 790 crore through Minimum Support Price (MSP) assured by the Centre. While the market price for paddy is Rs 19 per kilogram, the Food Department is procuring it at Rs 23 per kilogram to ensure fair remuneration,” Nath said.
Highlighting infrastructural advancements, Nath elaborated, “The government has built agricultural markets, distributed modern farming equipment, and issued soil health cards. Soil testing, cold storage facilities, and fertilizer subsidies have also been introduced. Remarkably, 3.72 lakh farmers, out of a total population of 42 lakh, have availed loans worth Rs 2,025 crore.”
Nath further announced a Rs 52 crore financial assistance package for farmers affected by the devastating floods in August 2023. He urged farmers to maximize land utilization and cultivate high-yielding crops, citing that the agriculture budget has grown from Rs 330 crore under the previous regime to Rs 539 crore now. “Before 2018, farmers’ income stood at Rs 6,580; today, it has risen to Rs 13,580,” he added.
Minister Sushanta Chowdhury reiterated the government’s dedication to farmers, stating, “We honor farmers as providers of food. This year, we will procure 21,000 MT of paddy across 51 centers. Despite the challenges posed by floods, we are increasing the MSP to Rs 23 per kilogram, up from Rs 21.23 last year. The BJP government has prioritized farmers’ welfare, unlike the previous regime, which failed to secure central assistance for 25 years.”
Chowdhury highlighted the achievements of the BJP government, including the procurement of paddy worth Rs 397 crore, benefiting over 1.07 lakh farmers. He also lauded the PM-Kisan scheme, which provides Rs 6,000 annually to farmers. “If the farmers’ economy collapses, the entire country’s economy will suffer,” he warned.
Director of the Food department Sumit Lodh outlined the logistical arrangements for the procurement drive. “Since December 2018, the government has been procuring paddy during both Kharif and Rabi seasons. This year, Rs 48 crore will be spent on procurement, and the drive will continue until February 8, 2024,” he said.
Director of the Agriculture department Saradindu Das noted that hybrid paddy is being cultivated on 28 hectares, with farmers receiving an annual subsidy of Rs 9,000.
The event was attended by Jirania Panchayat Samiti Chairman Pritam Debnath, Ranirbazar Municipal Council Vice-Chairman Prabir Kumar Das, and other dignitaries. Jirania Nagar Panchayat Chairman Ratan Kumar Das presided over the program.
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