Agartala Jul 03: With the pro-farmer decisions and policies by the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the farmers across the nation have been benefited, said chief minister Dr Manik Sah as he addressed the national conference cum buyer-seller meet at Pragna Bhavan on Monday.

The 2- day conference organized by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Govt. of Tripura and Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Govt. of Tripura was inaugurated by chief minister Dr Manik Saha in presence of State Minister for Agriculture Ratan Lal Nath along with other dignitaries of the department.

Addressing the program, Dr Saha said, “Agriculture is the base of the state’s economy. Definite plans are being chalked out by the central and state government in view of overall welfare of the farmers and development of the agricultural sector”.

Speaking about the agricultural assets of the state, the chief minister said, “Tripura has abundant bamboo, rubber, tea, natural gas, agricultural and horticultural crops. The queen pineapple and scented lemons of Tripura has gained popularity in the global arena”.

“The state’s climate is favourable for cultivation of different types of horticultural crops. Fruits are cultivated in state on more than 12,000 Ha of land. Vegetables on more than 16,000 Ha land. Pineapples and other horticultural produces are being exported abroad. An integrated Pack House has been set up for export of pineapples outside the state. Besides, various kinds of flowers of foreign origin are also grown in the state”, he said.

Highlighting various steps taken by the state government and the department towards development in the agricultural sector, Dr Manik Saha said, “Utmost importance has been given to marketing of agricultural and horticultural produces of the state and in order to preserve these produces, 13 solar-based cold storages have been set up. The state government is also providing different facilities under State Incentive Policy for investors giving importance to employment generation”.

State Minister for Agriculture Ratan Lal Nath while speaking on the occasion said, “The state government is working to increase the income of the farmers and ensure their overall welfare”.

“Compared to earlier days, the income of state farmers has increased to a good extent. State grown horticultural products such as pineapples, scented lemons and jackfruits are gaining popularity and demand in international markets. Tripura's pineapple was exhibited in different exhibitions in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Guwahati”, he said.

The Minister further informed that besides exporting the produce, the government is also focusing on publicity and marketing.

A display and launch of Tripura’s popular queen variety of pineapple will be done at Varanasi on July 21 after a similar program that was led at Delhi Haat on May 18 this year.

Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare department Apurba Roy and Deputy General Manager of APEDA Bidyut Baruah also spoke in the inaugural program of the 2-day conference.

Director of Horticulture & Soil Conservation department Dr. Phani Bhushan Jamatia also spoke on the occasion.

The chief minister along with the guests later visited different exhibition stalls.