Tripura resumes paddy procurement at MSP to uplift farmers’ income and strengthen rural development. Minister Sushanta Chowdhury highlights the rising MSP’s role in boosting farmer confidence, self-reliance, and sustainable agriculture. The initiative supports state goals of doubling farmers’ income through fair pricing and strategic support.
In a continued push towards agricultural development and rural empowerment, the Tripura government has resumed rice procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) under a state-level initiative led by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The move is being carried out in collaboration with the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
A formal launch ceremony for the current year’s MSP paddy procurement took place on Tuesday at the Inter-State Truck Terminal in Madhabbari, under Jirania sub-division. The event was inaugurated by the state’s Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Sushanta Chowdhury, who emphasized the impact of the increased MSP on farmers’ lives and the agricultural economy of the state.
“The increase in the Minimum Support Price for paddy has encouraged farmers and is leading to a tangible improvement in their quality of life. Each farming household is steadily becoming self-reliant,” said Minister Chowdhury during his address.
The government’s MSP procurement initiative is a crucial step towards achieving the ambitious goal of doubling farmers’ incomes, a target aligned with the national agricultural agenda. With a fair and transparent price assurance mechanism, the program aims to reduce the risks associated with fluctuating market prices and bolster farmer confidence in the formal agricultural economy.
“This strategic procurement initiative not only strengthens the agricultural backbone of the state but also reaffirms the government’s commitment to empowering grassroots communities and fostering long-term sustainability in rural development,” the Minister added.
Minister Chowdhury further elaborated that the rising MSP has sparked renewed enthusiasm in the farming sector, leading to increased participation and economic resilience. “Farmers are now more confident about investing their efforts into cultivation, knowing that they will receive a just and assured price for their harvest,” he stated.
The rice procurement initiative also reflects the government’s emphasis on farmer-centric policy and targeted welfare measures that ensure timely financial support for agricultural households. As the program continues, it is expected to positively impact thousands of farmers across Tripura, particularly small and marginal farmers who form the majority of the agricultural workforce.
The launch event witnessed the presence of several key officials and dignitaries, including:
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Debapriya Bardhan, Special Secretary of the Department of Food
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Sumit Lodh, Director of the Department of Food
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Phani Bhushan Jamatia, Director of the Agriculture Department
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Ratan Kumar Das, Chairman of Jirania Nagar Panchayat
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Pritam Debnath, Chairman of Jirania Panchayat Samiti
Their presence signaled a unified front by various departments and local governance bodies to ensure the smooth implementation of the procurement scheme.
The Inter-State Truck Terminal, chosen as the procurement hub, is strategically located to facilitate efficient movement and storage of procured rice. Farmers are expected to benefit from streamlined logistics and faster payments, making the process more farmer-friendly than previous years.
This initiative, apart from securing fair returns for farmers, is also aimed at stabilizing the grain supply chain, strengthening food security, and reducing dependency on middlemen. It reflects the government’s broader vision of self-sufficiency in food production and empowering rural Tripura through sustainable agriculture.
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As the procurement drive gains momentum, state authorities remain optimistic that this year’s MSP-linked rice collection will not only surpass previous records but also serve as a model of rural economic empowerment in the region.
