The Tripura government has launched the state-level paddy procurement drive for the on-going Kharif season 2025-26.
The initiative aims to purchase paddy directly from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP), ensuring financial stability and encouraging sustained agricultural activity.
The drive was officially inaugurated at the Brajendranagar Paddy Procurement Centre under the Battala Gram Panchayat of Satchand Block by the Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Sushanta Chowdhury on Friday.
Speaking at the event, the Food minister said that the paddy procurement drive has been receiving an overwhelming response since it began under the current government.
He noted that earlier, middlemen used to buy paddy from farmers at unreasonably low prices, leading to severe financial losses and dwindling interest in paddy cultivation. “But things have changed. Farmers are regaining their motivation to cultivate paddy,” he said.
The joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture departments is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen the rural economy. Chowdhury said that the government has already procured over 2.25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from more than 1.17 lakh farmers, resulting in direct payments of over Rs. 446 crore to farmers.
Highlighting the government’s pro-farmer policies since 2018, the Food minister said that the MSP for paddy has increased from Rs. 17.50 per kg to Rs. 23 per kg.
He added that over 2.84 lakh farmers in the state have received Rs. 843.65 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, further contributing to their financial empowerment.
Chowdhury also said that 31 procurement centres would be operational this season with the target of procuring 30,000 MT paddy. He said, the South Tripura district recorded the highest paddy procurement last year.
Special Secretary to the Food Department Debapriya Bardhan delivered the welcome address. Other key speakers included Cooperative Minister Shuklacharan Noatia, Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy, and Sabhadhipati of South Tripura Zilla Parishad Dipak Dutta, who presided over the programme.
Among the dignitaries present were MLAs- Mailafru Mog and Swapna Majumdar, former MLA and social worker Shankar Roy, and social activist Dipayan Chowdhury.
Also in attendance were Food Director Sumit Lodh, Agriculture Director Dr. Phanibhushan Jamatia, District Magistrate of South Tripura Mohammad Sajjad P, and SDM of Satchand Shivjyoti Dutta, along with local representatives.
On the occasion, the dignitaries also unveiled the rebranded organic compost fertilizer produced by the Sabroom Nagar Panchayat, now named "Feni Compost Sar". In addition, the Food Minister inaugurated a Primary Rural Market Stall set up by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.