In order to support the farmers of the state, who suffered huge financial losses after their crops were damaged in different cyclonic storms and flood related natural disasters, the Tripura government has allocated Rs. 23 crore as compensation to farmers for damaged crops.

Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday afternoon addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat said that  to support approximately 81,000 farmers who suffered huge financial losses followed by cyclones 'Midhili' and 'Michaung', the state  government  will compensate the farmers with  a substantial aid package of Rs 23.21 crore.

Nath said that the distribution programme to compensate farmers  will start on  July 4 next at Jolaibari area in South Tripura district.

Highlighting several initiatives undertaken by the government to support the farmers in the state, Nath said,  in between November 16 and 18, 2023, Cyclone Midhili and cyclone Michaung from December 6-08 2023, wreaked havoc across the state and farmers of the state has suffered huge damages of their crops and about 58,210 farmers were affected as cultivation of different fruits  with 23,171 hectares of land were damaged.

The Department of Agriculture has allocated Rs 14.58 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to compensate these affected farmers, based on a compensation rate of Rs 8,500 per hectare, said Nath and  added that the farmers, whose tomato cultivation destroyed because of the cyclone, the Horticulture Department has also sanctioned Rs 7.38 crore for 20,078 affected farmers under the SDRF scheme.

Nath said that the Agriculture department has already sought compensation under the SDRF scheme for farmers affected  by heavy rains held  on May 28, 2024 last.

He also said that the state’s agricultural produce garnered attention during a buyer-seller conference in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and the state  government is also planning to organize a similar conference within the state to further promote agricultural trade and products of the state.

He also informed the media  that on Wednesday, a total of 30 tones of Kew-variety pineapples were dispatched for Bangalore to enhance  trade prospects.

Meanwhile, Ratan Lal Nath also announced the selection of 59 Agriculture Officers (Grade-1) through the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) by maintaining 33 percent reservation policy and  21 women officers were also selected and soon the government will distribute their offers .