Agartala: Tripura's agriculture and farmers' welfare minister, Ratan Lal Nath, has called for increased central assistance for the state's farmers and requested additional funding for fertilisers, along with measures to expand hybrid paddy cultivation. During a recent national conference on agriculture for the Kharif campaign, Nath stated that he discussed with Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan the need for support to boost paddy production in Tripura, as it is the state's primary crop.
Currently, paddy farming occupies approximately 49% of the total gross cropped area. The state plans to introduce hybrid paddy farming on around 50,000 hectares this season, supported by an allocation of Rs 10 crore, Nath informed Chauhan. “This year, we aim to expand the area for hybrid paddy cultivation and have asked the Union minister to take into account food security by including provisions in the PM-RKVY scheme to support hybrid paddy farming,” Nath said.
Nath also noted that organic farming has begun on 26,600 hectares in the state, with an additional 26,800 farmers adopting this method. Since 96% of farmers fall into the marginal category, the minister urged for a reliable supply of urea. “We have significantly initiated oil palm cultivation in Tripura, which requires substantial chemical inputs. Therefore, I am requesting the fertilizer ministry for more funding to support these chemical needs,” Nath said.
In the state’s low-lying regions, paddy farmers face significant losses when heavy rains flood their fields, yet they are not provided with insurance support. To help cover the damage caused by the loss of paddy crops, he asked for flooding to be recognised as a ‘local natural calamity’ under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
Key Demands Raised by Minister Nath
- Increased central funding for fertilisers to support chemical inputs for oil palm and other crops.
- Inclusion of hybrid paddy farming provisions in the PM-RKVY scheme to ensure food security.
- Recognition of flooding as a 'local natural calamity' under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to provide insurance support to affected farmers.
Current Agricultural Scenario in Tripura
Paddy farming dominates Tripura's agriculture, covering nearly half of the gross cropped area. The state is actively promoting hybrid paddy cultivation to boost yields, with a target of 50,000 hectares this season. Organic farming is also gaining traction, with over 26,000 hectares under cultivation and thousands of farmers adopting the method. However, challenges remain, including the vulnerability of low-lying areas to flooding and the need for reliable fertiliser supplies for marginal farmers who make up the majority of the agricultural community.
