*Agartala, Nov 6:* The **Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare** on Thursday convened a **district-level review meeting** on the *Rabi Crop Programme 2025* at the **State Agriculture and Research Station (SARS)** conference hall in AD Nagar. The session aimed to strengthen strategic planning and ensure smooth implementation of agricultural initiatives for the upcoming Rabi season across **West Tripura district**.
The meeting was chaired by **West Tripura Zilla Sabhadhipati Biswajit Shil**, in the presence of officials from the **Agriculture and Horticulture Departments**, **Panchayati Raj Institutions**, and field officers.
Addressing the session, Shil said the meeting was held following directives from **Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath**, with a clear message that **no cultivable land should remain fallow** during the season. “All officials have been instructed to identify unused plots and bring them under cultivation,” he said.
He further directed the officials to **repair and restore all defunct agricultural machinery** before the onset of the Rabi season to ensure uninterrupted operations. Stressing the importance of **soil health management**, Shil advised timely soil testing and irrigation planning to prevent yield loss due to water scarcity.
The meeting also underlined the **advantages of natural farming** over conventional chemical-based practices. Farmers were urged to adopt eco-friendly and low-cost methods that ensure healthier, chemical-free produce. Awareness initiatives and training programmes will be undertaken to educate farmers about **sustainable and organic farming techniques**.
Highlighting the state government’s commitment to agricultural development, Shil said, “Our goal is to **double farmers’ income** through increased productivity, efficient resource utilization, and scientific farming.”
He added that district authorities are **closely monitoring progress** and working in alignment with ministerial instructions to achieve the government’s vision for a prosperous and self-reliant farming community.
