Two districts of Tripura, including Dhalai and Khowai, would soon become self-sufficient in food grain production, and the state government is stressing urban farming in the cities of the state.

This information was shared by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath today.

He said this after attending the state-level program for launching three agricultural schemes including PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, National Mission on Pulses, and National Mission on Natural Farming  at the State Agriculture Research Station, AD Nagar, in the presence of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha.

These three new agricultural schemes worth Rs 35,440 crore were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Later, the Agriculture Minister said that the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana is aimed at 100 districts, including the North District of Tripura, as these districts are facing low food grain production.

 “Through this scheme, production will be increased, the area of agriculture, food grain will be expanded, and for this, the North District will come under the scheme. North Tripura is lagging behind, while South, Sepahijala, and Gomati are self-sufficient in food grain production. Khowai, Dhalai, Unakoti, and West are still behind. In all-India rice production, Tripura is in the 6th position. The national average is 2,882 kg per hectare, while in Tripura it is 3,299 kg per hectare. In pulses, the national average is 881 kg per hectare, while in Tripura it is 856 kg per hectare, which is slightly less. In terms of agricultural loans, Sepahijala district ranks first, followed by South District, then West District, while North District has received fewer agricultural loans. All these aspects are being monitored at the national level,” said the Minister.

He also mentioned that the agriculture department is emphasizing the production of pulses.

 “In Tripura, rainfall is abundant, so production is good, but insect attacks on crops are a major issue. Earlier, we used to import potatoes from outside Tripura, but within three years, we will become self-sufficient in potato and onion production as well. We are now encouraging farmers to produce more pulses. We are also focusing on organic farming, and production is gradually increasing. Production is limited in our state due to less cultivable land. If we had more land, we could produce more. Our farmers are very hardworking. If rainfall remains favorable, Dhalai and Khowai will also become self-sufficient in food grain production. In the West District, due to higher population and less land, we are focusing on urban farming, especially horticulture,” he informed.