Tripura to Disburse Agri Equipment Worth ₹50 Cr in Kharif Season: Minister Ratan Lal Nath Announces Ambitious Productivity Push
In a major boost to Tripura’s agricultural sector, the state’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Monday announced that agricultural equipment and machinery worth ₹50 crore will be disbursed to farmers during the ongoing Kharif season. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to bridge the state’s crop production shortfall and enhance food self-sufficiency.
Addressing the media following a high-level meeting on seasonal production targets, Minister Nath outlined a series of steps his department is taking to achieve higher yields, support farmers with modern tools, and ensure that benefits of government schemes percolate down to the grassroots.
“We have set a target of covering 47,500 hectares of agricultural land this Kharif season. Out of that, 25,000 hectares have been specifically earmarked for hybrid paddy cultivation. This shift to high-yield variety paddy is essential to improve overall productivity,” Nath said.
Focus on Mechanization and Farmer Incentives
As part of the mechanization drive, the government will distribute 1,500 power tillers to farmers to ease the burden of land preparation and promote modern farming practices. The state government has identified mechanization as a critical factor in achieving its yield target — an ambitious increase of two metric tons per hectare.
“We believe that by improving our per-hectare output by two metric tons, we can successfully eliminate the gap between the state’s total agricultural production and the food requirement of our population,” the Minister added.
The ₹50 crore machinery package is expected to include not just tillers but a range of equipment tailored to suit the topography and cropping patterns of Tripura.
First-Ever Subsidy for Betel Leaf Farmers
In a noteworthy inclusion, the Agriculture Department has for the first time introduced subsidies for betel leaf cultivators. Betel leaf farming, though not as widespread as rice or vegetables, is an important cash crop for many tribal and rural farmers in Tripura.
“This is the first time betel leaf farmers are being brought under a subsidy scheme. It is a step toward inclusive growth and ensuring that no farmer is left behind, no matter what crop he or she cultivates,” Nath said.
Involving Elected Representatives for Faster Implementation
Highlighting the government’s commitment to transparency and grassroots involvement, Nath said that block-level elected representatives and members of standing committees had been specially invited to the planning meeting. This inclusion is aimed at fast-tracking the seed distribution process and the identification of eligible beneficiaries.
“Typically, block-level leaders are not involved in the technical process of seed and machinery distribution. But this time, we have brought them into the loop. They know their constituencies best and can help ensure that deserving farmers receive the right support at the right time,” said the Minister.
Seeds have already been dispatched to village-level agricultural offices, and elected leaders have been tasked with completing beneficiary selection within this month to ensure timely sowing.
Identifying and Rewarding Progressive Farmers
The government is also pushing for a cultural shift within the farming community by identifying and rewarding progressive farmers—those who adopt innovative techniques, diversify their crops, or mentor others.
“We have a scheme to reward such farmers. At the block level, selected progressive farmers will receive ₹10,000 as recognition of their forward-thinking approach. Higher rewards are available at the district and state levels. This not only recognizes effort but motivates others,” the Minister noted.
Aiming for Self-Sufficiency
Tripura has historically faced challenges in becoming fully self-reliant in agricultural production. The combination of fragmented landholdings, difficult terrain, and limited mechanization has kept yields below national averages. However, recent years have seen a marked shift with the introduction of hybrid seeds, improved irrigation infrastructure, and the use of technology in agriculture.
The current strategy spearheaded by Minister Nath — integrating machinery distribution, grassroots planning, and incentivizing innovation — aims to push Tripura towards agricultural self-sufficiency in the coming years.
With monsoon rains already making their mark in the state, the success of these measures in the ongoing Kharif season could set the tone for Tripura’s long-term agricultural transformation.
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