Tripura to procure 21k MT paddy in Kharif season

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, December 2, 2024

The government of Tripura has decided to procure 21,000 metric tons of paddy in the Kharip season. The procurement will be done at an enhanced price of Rs 23 per kilogram as per the revised Minimum Support Price, Food and Civil Supplies Minister said on Monday.

The Minister further informed that the drive will officially start on December 19 this year.

The Minister was briefing the media persons during an inter-departmental joint meeting of the Food and Agriculture department at the conference hall of the civil secretariat.

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath was also present in the meeting which primarily aims to create synergy between the officials of both the departments ahead of the procurement drive.

“Last year, we had procured paddy at Rs 21 per Kg but as per the new directives of the Central government, the MSP has been increased to Rs 23 this year. In the light of this, all senior officials of both the departments are asked to remain alert on the activities of unscrupulous middlemen. We have noticed that these middlemen enter villages and buy the whole stock of paddy before the government can reach out to the farmers and ultimately, they earn a decent profit by selling their stock to the government. This malicious practice needs to be prevented,” he added.

Announcing the state’s target, the Minister further said, “This year we will procure 21,000 metric tons of paddy. All districts have their specific targets and they must perform as per our expectations.”

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on the other hand declared that special rewards will be arranged for the officials who will perform exceptionally well during this drive.

“All officials should develop a spirit of positive competitiveness among themselves. And, hence those who will perform well shall be rewarded by the department,” the Minister added.

According to Nath, the recent floods wreaked havoc in the agriculture sector but the silt deposition in some stretches of cropland turned out to be a boon for the farmers. “Farmers in South Tripura informed us that they had never expected such a high yield this year,” Nath added.