Agartala, July 3: The Tripura government has finalised preparations for the procurement of paddy from farmers during the ongoing Rabi marketing season, with a target of purchasing 20,710 MT at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

To review the arrangements, Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury held a statewide review meeting with district and subdivision-level officials through video conferencing from the State Secretariat.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Chowdhury said the procurement operation will begin on July 10, with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha scheduled to formally inaugurate the programme at Kakraban Agriculture Sub-Division in Gomati district.

The minister said the state cabinet has already approved the procurement plan, enabling agencies to begin purchasing paddy directly from farmers at the notified MSP.

He noted that the state has institutionalised paddy procurement during both Kharif and Rabi seasons to provide farmers with assured prices and support them. 

According to Chowdhury, the initiative is being implemented with support from the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the state government is ensuring its effective execution across Tripura.

Senior officials from the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and other stakeholders participated in the review meeting virtually from different districts to assess logistical preparedness and ensure the procurement process begins smoothly across the state.