Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath inaugurated new agricultural markets and laid the foundation of a rural market in Gomati district, strengthening Tripura’s agricultural infrastructure. The projects aim to improve market access, ensure fair prices for farmers, and boost the rural economy through modern facilities.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday reaffirmed the Tripura Government’s commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector by inaugurating two modern agricultural markets and laying the foundation stone for another major rural market project in Gomati district. The initiatives are expected to significantly improve agricultural marketing infrastructure, provide better facilities for farmers and traders, and contribute to the overall development of the rural economy.
The Minister laid the foundation stone for a modern rural market at Palatana under the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department at an estimated cost of Rs 4.6 crore. The upcoming market is designed to offer improved infrastructure and modern facilities that will enable farmers to sell their produce in a more organized and transparent environment.
During the programme, Nath also inaugurated the newly constructed two-storey agricultural market at Tulamura Bazar, built at a cost of Rs 2.2 crore. Describing the project as a long-awaited dream of the local farming community, he said the modern market would become a significant milestone for farmers by creating easier access to buyers and ensuring better marketing opportunities for agricultural produce.
The Minister further inaugurated the two-storey building of Gorji Krishi Bazar under the Matabari Agriculture Sub-Division, which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 3.12 crore. The facility was formally opened for use by farmers and traders in the presence of Matabari MLA Abhishek Debroy and MLA Jitendra Majumder, along with senior officials of the Agriculture Department.
Addressing the gathering, Nath emphasized that the government has been continuously introducing welfare measures for the farming community, but many people remain unaware of the available schemes. He urged citizens to actively seek information about government programmes and take advantage of the benefits designed for farmers.
“The government belongs to the people, works for the people, and functions with the people. We are providing fertilizers and various forms of assistance directly to farmers. The benefits should reach genuine farmers instead of middlemen,” the Minister said.
Highlighting the government’s agricultural infrastructure development efforts, Nath informed that Tripura currently has 554 agricultural markets, including 84 primary wholesale markets. Of these, 21 are agricultural produce markets, while the remaining 470 function as primary or rural markets. He said the government has already initiated phased infrastructure improvements across these markets, including construction of sheds, market stalls, sanitation facilities, drinking water systems, drainage networks, and other essential amenities.
The Minister also presented comparative development figures to underline the pace of infrastructure expansion. According to him, 204 market development projects have been undertaken across Tripura between 2018-19 and 2025-26, with a total allocation of approximately Rs 461.83 crore. In comparison, during the period from 2013 to 2017, infrastructure development covered only 71 markets, with an expenditure of around Rs 20.26 crore.
Focusing on Gomati district, Nath said that 38 market development projects have been implemented over the last seven and a half years with an allocated expenditure of Rs 86.93 crore, reflecting the government’s sustained investment in strengthening agricultural marketing infrastructure.
He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated markets and the proposed Palatana rural market would help farmers market their agricultural produce more conveniently, safely, and at fair prices. Improved market infrastructure, he said, would increase farmers’ incomes, promote efficient agricultural marketing, reduce dependence on intermediaries, and contribute to a stronger rural economy.
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Reiterating the government’s vision, Nath stated that the prosperity of farmers remains one of its foremost priorities. He said the continuous expansion and modernization of agricultural markets across the state would ensure sustainable rural development while creating better economic opportunities for farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs alike. The programme concluded with participation from local public representatives, Agriculture Department officials, farmers, traders, and residents who welcomed the new infrastructure projects aimed at transforming agricultural marketing in Gomati district.
