Rabi paddy procurement drive to begin in Tripura on June 15

  • Tripura Tribune Desk
  • Jun 10, 2024

Agartala, June 10: Tripura government’s drive to procure paddy at Minimum Support Price from the local farmers is set to commence from June 15 next for this Rabi season, a minister said on Monday.

“A target has been set to procure 15,000 MT paddy directly from the farmers at MSP of Rs. 21.83 per kg across 31 blocks in six district,” Minister for Food Sushanta Chowdhury said in a press conference.

Addressing the media, he said, a virtual meeting was held on Monday with all the concerned officials to finalize preparations for the initiative.

The inaugural ceremony will take place at Jolaibari in the South Tripura district, with Minister for Agriculture Ratanlal Nath, Minister for Food Sushanta Chowdhury, Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, and other officials in attendance.

Since the formation of the new government in 2018, the state has been procuring paddy at MSP twice a year. To date, a total of 1,92,052 metric tons of paddy have been procured, benefiting 1,00,309 farmers who collectively received Rs. 372 crore. The government is committed to doubling farmers' incomes and encourages all farmers to participate in this initiative, he said.

In a bid to reduce farmers' transportation costs, this year's procurement drives will be held at the block level, rather than at the Sub-Divisional level. Farmers will also receive the MSP within a day of selling their produce, Chowdhury said.

Special Secretary to the Food Department Raval Hamendra Kumar, Director Nirmal Adhikary, and Deputy Director Animesh Debbarma were also present at the press conference. Chowdhury emphasized the importance of the virtual meeting held with SDMs, BDOs, Agriculture Deputy Directors, and other officials to ensure the smooth execution of the procurement drive.

Additionally, in response to increased transportation costs, the Food Department has purchased five new goods-laden lorries at a cost of Rs. 1.86 crore. These vehicles, along with the existing fleet of 17 trucks, will enhance the state's transportation management. The new lorries will be flagged off from the central store in A.D. Nagar on Tuesday.