BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 4th July 2024: Tripura government has taken a significant step to support farmers affected by cyclone ‘Midhili’ that struck the state between November 16 and 18, 2023. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced today that financial assistance amounting to Rs 21 crore 97 lakh 18 thousand is being disbursed among 78,279 farmers.
Speaking at the program titled “Financial Assistance to Farmers Affected by Natural Calamities in Midhili,” held at Nazrul Kalakshetra, Minister Nath highlighted the joint efforts of the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department and the Horticulture & Soil Conservation Department. State Disaster Response Force support enabled the distribution of aid to affected farmers across 39 locations in Tripura.
Minister Nath emphasized the government’s commitment to direct benefit transfer (DBT) and the elimination of middlemen or brokers. He stated, “Our prime mottos are ‘Atmanirbhar Tripura,’ ‘Swanirbhar Tripura,’ ‘Swayambar Tripura,’ and ‘Ek Tripura Shrestha Tripura.’ The priority sectors for both central and state governments are ‘Village,’ ‘Poor,’ and ‘Farmers.’ In Tripura, with a population of 42 lakhs, there are 4.72 lakh farmers. Nationally, India has a population of 140 crore, including 20 crore farmers. Our self-sufficiency depends on the prosperity of our farmers.”
The financial assistance includes an additional benefit for 3,013 farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, totaling Rs 1 crore 13 lakh 90 thousand. In total, 81,292 farmers in Tripura will receive over Rs 23 crore 11 lakh 8 thousand for cyclone-related losses.
Minister Nath also highlighted other achievements, such as the successful implementation of PM-Kisan, increased wages for farmers, and investments in agricultural equipment. He stated that Tripura’s farmers have received 17 installments directly, amounting to Rs 736.38 crore. Additionally, the government has spent Rs 32.75 crore on fertilizers and seeds, procured paddy from 1,323 farmers through MSP, and provided loans of Rs 1,822 crore through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.
The program witnessed the presence of TTAADC’s EM Rabindra Debbarma, A&FW Department’s Secretary Apurba Roy, A&FW Director Sharadindu Das, H&SC Director Phani Bhushan Jamatia, MLAs Ratan Chakraborty and Mina Rani Sarkar, Mayor Dipak Majumder, and chairpersons of Panchayat Samitis. Sabhadipati of Paschim Tripura Zilla Parishad, Haridulal Acharjee, presided over the event.
