In a decisive move to support flood-stricken farmers, the Tripura government has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for 1,48,379 farmers affected by the recent devastating floods. This financial assistance aims to mitigate the severe losses incurred due to the floods, providing much-needed relief to the agricultural community.
Apoorba Roy, Secretary of the Agriculture Department, announced the initiative during a press conference at Agartala Press Club on Monday. The interim assistance, expected to be credited to the bank accounts of the affected farmers by this week, includes a sum of Rs 1,000 each for the majority of the 1,48,379 farmers. Special allocations have been made for those engaged in specific types of cultivation. For instance, 45,248 farmers involved in the cultivation of winter vegetables, betel, fruits, and gardening will receive the financial aid. Out of these, 42,374 farmers will get Rs 1,000, 897 farmers involved in fruit and gardening cultivation will receive Rs 2,000 each, and 1,977 betel farmers will be given Rs 2,950.
The total financial aid package involves Rs 20 crore allocated to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with Rs 15 crore designated for the agriculture sector and Rs 5 crore for the horticulture department. This support comes in response to significant losses reported due to the floods, which have caused an estimated Rs 943.59 crore in damage. Specifically, 7,929 organic farmers reported losses of approximately Rs 68.80 crore, while agricultural land losses affected 41,521 farmers with a total damage of Rs 163.78 crore. Additionally, 15,124 farmers impacted by landslides have reported losses of Rs 90.12 crore.
Roy detailed the financial assistance framework according to SDRF and NDRF guidelines. For rain-fed agricultural and horticultural crops, assistance is Rs 8,500 per hectare. For irrigated lands, it is Rs 17,000 per hectare, and for perennial crops, it is Rs 22,000 per hectare. Damages caused by sand, gravel, and silt accumulation are compensated at Rs 18,000 per hectare, while landslide damages receive Rs 47,000 per hectare.
A proposal has been forwarded to the State Revenue Department requesting additional assistance totaling Rs 128 crore 80 lakh 43 thousand. This includes Rs 113 crore for the agriculture sector and Rs 15 crore 80 lakh 43 thousand for horticulture and gardening.
In addition to financial aid, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has distributed 123 metric tons of high-yielding Aman rice seeds to affected farmers. Paddy seedlings have been provided free of charge through newly established nurseries across 10 hectares in various government agricultural farms. The Department of Horticulture and Land Conservation has also taken steps to aid farmers by distributing 400 seedlings of 16 lakh winter vegetables to 4,000 affected farmers, with 51,700 saplings provided in South Tripura, Gomti, and Sepahijala districts from the Jumerdhepa Vegetable Excellence Center.
