By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 18, 2023
Agartala, July 17 (FD) With a view to attaining self-sufficiency in food production, the state government has launched a special programme titled "Chief Minister’s Integrated Crop Management Programme", state minister for Agriculture and Farmer’s welfare Ratan Lal Nath said.
In a bid to combat the adverse effects of inadequate rainfall on 'Amon' paddy cultivation, the state government has announced plans to allocate an additional Rs 65.77 lakh towards an initiative aimed at increasing crop yield.
The programme, spearheaded by the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Ministry, targets an extra 500 kilograms of 'Amon' paddy per hectare, surpassing the usual yield of 3,200 kilogram’s.
Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath stressed the importance of implementing five key policies proposed by the department to achieve the desired results.
Apart from financial assistance, farmers participating in the programme will receive a range of fertilizers, including urea, SSP, MOP, and organic fertilizers.
The initiative has already garnered a positive response, with approximately 1.1 lakh farmers enrolling in farmers' field schools across the state.
As part of the government's commitment to doubling farmers' income and increasing crop production, 1.71 lakh metric tons of 'Amon' paddy have been procured at the minimum support price, amounting to an expenditure of Rs 327 crore.
Moreover, the government plans to procure an additional 35,000 metric tons of paddy at the minimum support price this year.
Currently, 1,177 farmers have already sold 1,931 metric tons of paddies at the minimum support price, according to Minister Nath. FD SB JK