Agartala, 10th July 2026: Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the economic security of farmers and ensuring remunerative prices for agricultural produce, the Tripura government on Friday launched the paddy procurement drive under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) programme for the Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26. The state has set a target of procuring 20,710 metric tonnes of paddy during the current Rabi season.
The procurement drive was inaugurated at a function held at the premises of Kakraban Higher Secondary School in Udaipur subdivision. The programme was organised by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs with support from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha formally inaugurated the initiative by lighting the ceremonial lamp and later flagged off the procurement drive.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce through a transparent and hassle-free procurement system. He said several measures have been introduced to eliminate the role of middlemen, allowing farmers to sell paddy directly to the government while receiving payments through direct bank transfers.
“The increase in farmers’ income remains one of the government’s top priorities. Rural development is the foundation of Tripura’s overall progress, and improving the financial condition of farmers is essential for strengthening the rural economy,” Dr. Saha said.
Recalling the financial hardships faced by farmers in earlier years, the Chief Minister said both the Central and State governments have introduced several farmer-centric schemes to provide long-term support. He noted that these initiatives have resulted in higher agricultural production and improved farm incomes across the state.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to improve soil fertility, Dr. Saha informed that more than 2.53 lakh Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers, while agricultural inputs worth ₹233.63 crore have been supplied under various subsidy schemes.
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury described the MSP procurement programme as a historic initiative that has restored confidence among farmers. He said government support has encouraged cultivators to bring previously fallow land under cultivation, leading to renewed interest in agriculture across the state.
The minister also asserted that procurement at MSP has become one of the most significant welfare measures introduced by the present government, strengthening farmers’ financial security while contributing to the growth of Tripura’s agrarian economy.
Among those present were MLAs Abhishek Debroy and Jitendra Majumder, Gomati Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Debal Debroy, Principal Secretary of the Food Department Shantanu, Udaipur SDM Tridib Sarkar, Additional Secretary and Director of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Sumit Lodh, Gomati District Magistrate Rinku Lathkar, social worker Biswajit Sarkar, and Kakraban Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Supriya Saha, who presided over the programme.
According to the Food Department, adequate procurement centres have been established across the state to facilitate easy transportation of paddy by farmers. Storage infrastructure has also been upgraded to ensure timely transportation and safe preservation of the procured produce. The inaugural programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, officials and local residents, reflecting growing confidence in the government’s continued support for the farming community.
