The paddy procurement in the present ‘Ravi’ season  direct from farmers by Tripura government  started on Saturday from a designated centre located at Julaibari under South Tripura district along with 31 designated centres across 31 blocks of the state.

This time the government will procure a total of 15,000 metric tons of paddy directly from the state's farmers at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 21.83 per kilogram.

The procurement of paddy in the present season  was inaugurated by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratanlal Nath at Jolaibari on Saturday in presence of the  Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury ,Co-operative Minister Sukla Charan Noatia, South District Magistrate Dr. Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal, and Vibhishan Das, Vice President of South District Council.

During the event, Minister Ratan Lal Nath underscored the critical role of farmers as the primary food providers and highlighted the state’s objective of achieving self-reliance through robust rural infrastructure development. He stated, "If there is no development of infrastructure in rural areas, welfare of poor people and farmers, the country's economy will never be stronger.”

Minister Nath highlighted various ongoing projects for the welfare of farmers, such as the Kishan Samman Nidhi Yojana, subsidized rice procurement scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and soil testing initiatives. He noted that over 11 crore farmers nationwide have benefited from the Kishan Samman Nidhi Yojana along with 2,52,000 farmers in the state already getting its benefits. Additionally, the monthly income of farmers in the state has risen to Rs 13,500. The state is also enhancing agricultural markets and providing agricultural machinery at subsidized rates to modernize farming practices. A target has been set to distribute Rs 4,000 crore in agricultural loans through Krishan Credit Cards.

Food Minister Sushanta Chowdhury reiterated the government’s commitment to farmer welfare, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated Rs 20,000 crore for farmers under the Kishan Samman Nidhi Yojana.

He said that for the procurement of paddy in the present ‘Ravi’ season with enhance rate of Rs. 21.83 per kilogram of paddy, the procurement of paddy from farmers of the state with MSP has been started twice in a year for doubling the farmer’s income and in the present ‘Ravi’ season, the government will procure 15,000 metric tons of paddy.

He said that from 2018-19 to 2023-24, the state government has procured 1,92,052 metric tons of paddy directly from 1,00,309 farmers  and farmers get a sum of Rs. 372 crore.

The paddy procurement in 2018-19 has been started with Rs. 17.50 per kg of MSP and in the present financial year, it has been increased at Rs. 21.83 per kg.

Chowdhury urged officials to complete the purchase by July 15 due to the upcoming Panchayat elections.

Cooperative Minister Shukla Charan Noatia mentioned that various state programs are benefiting farmers, enhancing their economic stability.

In a separate event on the same day, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury inaugurated the Legal Metrology Office and Laboratory adjacent to Santirbazar SDM Office. This new facility aims to strengthen the public distribution system, ensuring the right quantity and quality of goods for consumers. Chowdhury emphasized the government’s strict stance against hoarding of essential items .

The state now has 18 Legal Metrology Offices, where consumers can lodge their  complaints and check product quality.

The inauguration was attended by MLA Pramod Reang, District Magistrate Dr. Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal, SDM Abhedananda Vaidya, and others. Swapna Vaidya, Chairperson of Municipal Council, presided over the event, with a welcome address delivered by Ravel Hemendra Kumar, Special Secretary of the Department of Food and Civil Supplies.