Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given utmost importance to the development of villages and farmers. If the village is developed, the country will also progress. Efforts are being made to double the income of farmers. The government is working on a multifaceted plan for the development of the agricultural system in the state as well.

This was said by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath while inaugurating distribution programme of agricultural materials and fruit seedlings under the initiative of Kumarghat Agricultural Sub Divisional Office at Nazrul Kendra in Fatikroy yesterday.

In his inaugural speech, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath also said that agriculture is the mainstay of the state’s financial system. We have emphasized on the use of new components in modern farming systems. Efforts are underway to provide at least one paddy planting machine in every panchayat.

These machines will be provided through self-help groups. It will increase the production of rice. He said that at present Gomati, South and Sepahijala districts have become independent in the production of food grains. Unakoti district is lagging behind. In Unakoti, where food crops need 75 thousand metric tons, the production is 69 thousand metric tons. Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath said, no land will be left fallow. Some crops must be grown on fallow land. He said, we must be independent in agriculture. Farmers also have to take this responsibility. The state government is always beside the farmers.

Animal Resource Development Minister Sudhangshu Das said, as a result of such a programme, the farmers of the sub-division will be more encouraged to produce crops. The government is providing inputs to farmers to increase agricultural production using technology. It is the moral responsibility of the government to stand by the farmers who provide food. He also stressed on farmers to cultivate using organic fertilizers.

Besides, Animal Resource Development Minister Sudhangshu Das urged the farmers to come forward in animal husbandry and fisheries related to agriculture. MLA Bhagaban Chandra Das also spoke on the occasion. Director of the department Sharadindu Das gave the welcome speech.

Chairman of the Standing Committee on Agriculture of Unakoti Zilla Parishad Subhendu Das presided over the programme. Sabhadhipati of Unakoti Zilla Parishad Amalendu Das, Chairman of Kumarghat Panchayat Samiti Samati Das, District Magistrate T.K Chakma and President of All Tripura Farmers Club Pradip Baran Roy were present at the programme.

On the occasion, the guests handed over power tillers, rice threshing machines and various agricultural machinery worth 19 lakh rupees to 2 SHGs namely: Joyram Framers Club and East Kanchanbari Farmers Club. Besides, some farmers were provided spray machines at subsidized cost. Apart from this, every farmer who came to the programme was given saplings of various cash crops including mango, coconut, betel nut etc.