Agartala, Jul 04, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala Jul 04: Extending support to the devastated farmers affected by cyclone Midhili, the state government has taken initiative to disburse a substantial amount of Rs 21.97 crore, directly to the bank account of the farmers as a compensation. A total of 78,279 farmers faced adversity due to the natural calamity, but today, their resilience is being recognized and awarded, said Minister for Agriculture Ratan Lal Nath.

This financial aid aims to alleviate the hardships faced by those who play a crucial role in our society—the food donors and the backbone of agriculture, said the minister as he presided over a program “Financial Assistance to Farmers Affected by Natural Disaster Midhili” at the Nazrul Kalakshetra Auditorium on Thursday.

Apart from the Agriculture minister, Rabindra Debbarma, Executive Member, Education and Welfare Department TTAADC, MLA Ratan Chakraborty, AMC Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Apurba Roy Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Saradindu Das, Director, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare among others remained present at the program.

Addressing the program, Minister Ratan Lal Nath said, “The state government and the Agriculture department is committed towards overall welfare of the farmers. This step of providing them relief in times of need symbolizes the government’s respect and love for those who toil tirelessly to feed the nation”.

Mentioning that the program is being held at a total of 39 locations across the state, Nath said, “Farmers are the true breadwinners of our society. Their well-being directly impacts the entire state and the nation. When their faces light up with relief, it reflects the collective happiness of our country”.

The minister further mentioned that apart from this, as many as 3,013 farmers will receive Rs 1 crore 13 lakh 90 thousand under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana after ten days.

In total, 81,292 farmers of Tripura will benefit from over Rs 23 crore 11 lakh 8 thousand due to the impact of Cyclone Midhili from November 16-18, 2023.

Highlighting various schemes of the state and central government that aim to double the income of the farmers and provide them necessary assistance, Nath said, “Our aim is to ensure that the farmers are self-sufficient. Only then the state and the country can become self-sufficient in terms of agricultural products”.

The minister also mentioned the paddy procurement process where the government has been buying paddy at MSP two times a year.

“We procured paddy from 1 lakh 323 farmers through MSP, spending Rs 371 crore and securing 1 lakh 92 thousand MTs of paddy. Under the KCC scheme, 3 lakh 75 thousand farmers received loans amounting to Rs 1822 crore. The income of farmers has nearly doubled from Rs 6,580 in the 2017-18 fiscal year to Rs 13,590 in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Under the previous government, there were no Krishak Vandhu Kendras, but now there are 32 KVKs. The previous government benefited 2,611 farmers with Rs 28.35 crore, whereas we have spent Rs 200.42 crore to benefit 38,000 farmers in the last five years for agricultural equipment”, he said.

Both state and central governments stand firmly by the farmers, ensuring their welfare in all circumstances. This commitment reinforces the belief that progress and development begin with the well-being of those who cultivate our land, said Nath.