Paddy procurement begins at Jolaibari & Sabroom

The Tripura government on Monday launched paddy procurement under the minimum support price (MSP) scheme at procurement centres in Jolaibari and Rajibnagar in South Tripura district as part of the state's ongoing procurement drive for the boro season.

At Jolaibari, Food and Agriculture Department officials commenced procurement jointly at a centre near the Jolaibari block office. The procurement began without a formal inaugural function in view of the state mourning.

Speaking to reporters, Minority Welfare Minister Shukla Charan Noatia who also happens to be the local MLA said the procurement at the Jolaibari centre would continue for 11 days.

He said paddy would be procured at the MSP of Rs 23.69 per kg. According to the minister, the Agriculture Department plans to procure 1,318 metric tonnes of paddy under the Jolaibari Agriculture Sub-Division and another 1,100 metric tonnes under the Bagafa Agriculture Sub-Division.

Farmers arrived at the centre with their produce on the opening day to sell paddy under the government procurement programme.

Meanwhile, the Rajibnagar procurement centre in Satchand block was inaugurated by South Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Dipak Dutta.

Officials of the Agriculture Department said the state government has fixed a target of procuring around 20,710 metric tonnes of boro paddy during the current season through 31 procurement centres across Tripura. Two procurement centres have been opened in Sabroom subdivision at Rajibnagar and Brajendranagar.

According to Agriculture Department officials, around 500 metric tonnes of paddy has already been registered for procurement at the Rajibnagar centre. Procurement there will continue till July 21.

Officials said the procurement drive is aimed at enabling farmers to sell their produce at the notified MSP through government procurement centres.