Agartala, Jun 26, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk
Agartala, Jun 26: Aiming to support approximately 81,000 farmers reeling through significant losses followed by cyclones Midhili and Michaung, the Tripura government on Wednesday announced a substantial aid package of Rs 23.21 crore.
State Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath briefed the media in this regard from the civil secretariat adding that the distribution program will be held on July 04, next at Jolaibari area in South Tripura district.
Highlighting several initiatives undertaken by the government to support the farmers in the state, Ratan Lal Nath said, “Between November 16 and 18, 2023, Cyclone Midhili and cyclone Michaung from December 06-08 2023, wreaked havoc on farmers’ crops, resulting in significant losses. Approximately 58,210 farmers were affected, with 23,171 hectares of land bearing fruit losses.
The Department of Agriculture has allocated Rs 14.58 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to compensate these affected farmers, based on a compensation rate of Rs 8,500 per hectare”.
“Additionally, for the farmers whose tomato cultivation got destroyed because of the cyclone, the Horticulture Department has also sanctioned Rs 7.38 crore for 20,078 affected farmers under the SDRF scheme”, said Nath.
The Agri minister further said that the department has already sought compensation under the SDRF scheme for farmers impacted by heavy rains on May 28, 2024.
Announcing a major boost in agricultural trade, the minister said, “The state’s agricultural produce garnered attention during a buyer-seller conference in Indore, Madhya Pradesh”.
He announced that the Tripura government is also planning to organize similar conferences within the state to further promote agricultural trade.
Talking about the demand of Tripura’s delicious variety of pineapple including the GI-tagged “Queen” variety, Nath said that on Wednesday, a total of 30 tonnes of Kew-variety pine apples were dispatched for Bangalore, enhancing trade prospects.
Meanwhile, Ratan Lal Nath also announced the selection of 59 Agriculture Officers (Grade-1) through the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC).
Following the 33 percent reservation policy, 21 women officers were also selected, and offers will be distributed soon, he said.