Agartala, June 23: There is no risk of drought-like situation in Tripura, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare minister Ratanlal Nath said on Tuesday. He said the state already received over 1000 mm rainfall.

Nath was speaking at a virtual meeting chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Later speaking to the media, Nath said, the virtual meeting was attended by agriculture ministers, secretaries, and officials from across the countries.

“Our Central Agriculture Minister is very active and well prepared. Though our country is self-reliant in food grains such as paddy, wheat, fish, etc., due to the El Niño effect, various parts of the country may face drought, and that is why he has taken advance preparation and alerted all agriculture ministers. That is why he chaired today’s meeting,” he said.

The Minister informed that such possibilities are less in Tripura. As per reports of the IMD and its assessment, in the North East and Tripura, the southwest monsoon will be more than normal.

“In our state, meanwhile, more than 1000 mm rainfall has occurred. So there are no possibilities of drought in our state, but we are prepared to tackle the situation if such a situation occurs. Therefore, in order to increase the yield of Kharif crops, it is necessary to take appropriate measures such as providing seeds, chemical fertilizers, and sprayers. Kharif crops like paddy, oilseeds, and pulses should be planted in clusters to encourage community planting or sowing. All irrigation facilities are being prepared for life-saving irrigation. Our government is prepared to tackle any kind of situation,” he said.