**Tripura Launches Seasonal Paddy Procurement Drive Benefiting 1.25 Lakh Farmers**
Tripura Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury inaugurated the state’s seasonal paddy procurement drive on Wednesday, announcing that around 1.25 lakh farmers across Tripura are expected to benefit from the initiative. Speaking at the inaugural function held at Dharmanagar, the minister highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring fair prices for their produce.
“Paddy procurement from farmers has been conducted regularly since 2018, with purchases taking place in two seasons every year. The state government has fixed the procurement price at Rs 1,750 per quintal, and approximately 1.25 lakh farmers will benefit under this drive,” Chowdhury said.
According to the minister, the procurement programme has so far disbursed a total of Rs 489 crore to farmers, providing significant financial support to the agricultural community. While the current season saw a slight delay, Chowdhury confirmed that the procurement process has now formally begun and is expected to continue for about one month.
The state has set a target of procuring 18,000 metric tonnes of paddy from all eight districts, with North Tripura contributing around 1,500 metric tonnes. On the inaugural day, a symbolic procurement was conducted from six farmers representing different villages in the Dharmanagar subdivision, officials said.
The programme was organized jointly by the Dharmanagar subdivisions of the Food and Agriculture departments and witnessed participation from a large number of local farmers. Several dignitaries attended the event, including North Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Aparna Nath, MLAs Jadav Lal Nath and Sailendra Chandra Nath, Panchayat Samiti chairpersons from Yubarajnagar, Kadamtala, and Kalacherra, Dharmanagar Municipal Council chairperson, and Food Department officials Debapriya Bardhan and Sumit Lodha.
Social worker Kajal Das presided over the function. Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath could not attend due to prior official commitments.
Officials emphasized that paddy procurement will be conducted strictly as per prescribed quotas and guidelines, ensuring transparency and equitable benefits for farmers across Tripura during this season.
