By Firstdespatch Desk May 15, 2023
Agartala, May 15 (FD) Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath graced the Promotion of Millets Cultivation, Natural Farming, and Inputs Distribution Programme as the inaugurator and Chief Guest on May 12. The event took place at the Manikpur Community Hall in the Chawmanu block of the Longtharai Valley sub-division, located in the Dhalai district.
Several notable figures attended the programme, including MLA Sabhu Lal Chakma, Director of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department Saradindu Das, Dhalai KVK Senior Scientist Dr. Abhijit Debnath, SDM Subhash Dutta, Superintendent of Agriculture (Chawmanu Agriculture Division) Dr. Debashish Pal, Superintendent of Horticulture (Manughat) Ranabir Tripura, and social workers Madhab Barua and Mohan Lal Chakma from the Chawmanu area.
During the event, four power tillers were given to four beneficiaries at a relaxed, subsidised rate of 85 thousand rupees. The Farm Machinery Bank for Soman Village Organiser, a Manikpur-based SHG formed by TRLM, received financial assistance of 10 lakh rupees, of which 9 lakh 50 thousand rupees have been disbursed at subsidy by the respective department, and 50 thousand rupees will be the share ratio of the SHG.
As part of the initiative to enhance rural farming practises, jhum paddy seeds, vegetable seeds, and Fox Tail seeds were distributed. Additionally, around 2200 soil samples from the Chawmanu block area were taken to the Dhalai Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Salema for further examination, and a few soil health cards were also given to farmers. The Dhalai KVK distributed various useful pieces of machinery for cultivation purposes to the rural farmers of the area. All these initiatives were carried out during the 2022–23 fiscal year.
The Superintendent of Agriculture, Chawmanu Agriculture Division, Longtharai Valley, provided information regarding these implementations. This event aimed to support rural farming communities and boost their traditional shifting cultivation practises while also providing them with the necessary resources and guidance to improve their agricultural productivity. FD SB