Progress to self -sufficiency in food grain production in two more districts Tripura: Minister of Agriculture

Agartala, October 11 (IANS). Two more districts of Tripura, Dhalai and Khowai, will soon be self -sufficient in food cereal production. The state government also promotes urban farming in cities. This information was given on Saturday by Agriculture and Farmers Minister Ratan Lal Nath. The minister said that out of the total of eight districts of the state, South Tripura, Sipahijala and Gomti, had already become self -sufficient in food grain production. After Nath virtually listened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech and the introduction of two ambitious schemes in the agricultural sector, Nath said Tripura received sufficient rainfall, which holds production well, but pest attacks on crops are a big problem. Nath said: “We had to import potatoes from outside earlier, but in the next three years we will also become self-sufficient in potato and onion production. We encourage farmers to grow more pulses. The emphasis is on organic farming and production is also gradually increasing.” He said that arable land is limited in the state, thereby limiting production. He said: “If we had more land, we could have produced more. Our farmers are very hardworking. If rainfall is favorable, Dhalai and Khowai districts will also be self-sufficient in food grain production. Because of the high population and less land in the West Tripura district, we focus on urban farming, especially short.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two important schemes in the agricultural sector on Saturday, Prime Minister Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana and Pulse Self-Reliance Mission with a budget of Rs 35.440 crore. Apart from the Minister of Agriculture Nath, Chief Minister Manik Saha and senior officials also joined the Agartala program. Nath said that the purpose of Prime Minister Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana is to benefit the 100 districts in which food cereal production is less. North Tripura district is also included. The North Tripura district remains in the back of the production of many crops, while South Tripura, Sipahijala and Gomti districts are already self-sufficient. Khowai, Dhalai, Unikoti and West Tripura districts also remain behind. “Tripura is sixth place in the production of paddy in the country. The national average is 2.882 kg per hectare, while in Tripura is 3,299 kg per hectare,” he said. The national average in wrist production is 881 kg per hectare, while in Tripura is 856 kg per hectare, which is slightly less. Nath said that the Sipahijala district is first place in the distribution of agricultural loan, followed by south and then West District, while North Tripura spread the least agricultural loan. All of these aspects are monitored at the national level. He also informed that the Agriculture Division gives special emphasis on wrist production. -—IANS DSC