Agartala: In a move to boost the income of farmers, the Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Department, with the help of the central government, is converting 21 markets into E-Markets to sell agricultural products across the country.
This was announced today by Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Department Minister Ratan Lal Nath.
The minister today inaugurated the newly constructed market at Kulai and a Village Knowledge Centre at Noagaon in Dhalai district.
He said that the state has a total of 554 agricultural markets and 84 wholesale markets, including primary wholesale markets. Out of these 84, 21 are Agri-Produce Markets.
“Our government has been in power for seven years. We believe that just agricultural production is not enough. The markets should be developed so that the products produced can be marketed in the same way as industrial products. Before 2018, the government had spent Rs 20 crore 20 lakh for market development in seven years, while during our seven years, we have spent Rs 303 crore. This proves how this government is working for the farmers,” said the Agriculture Minister.
He informed that the department will convert 21 markets into E-Markets across the state under the Electronic National Agriculture Market.
The minister said that this plan is initiated by the Central Government so that farmers, by sitting at home and uploading pictures of their products with quantity, can sell them across the nation at good prices.
“Our state government has taken steps to add these 21 markets to the E-Market gradually. At first, seven markets — Panisagar, Pabiachara, Kulai Bazar, Teliamura, Mohanpur, Sonamura, and Santirbazar — will be brought under the E-Market system. After that, 12 more markets, including Dasda, Bachaibari, Kalyanpur, Champaknagar, Bishalgarh, Jampuijala, Melaghar, Barpathari, Natun Bazar, Ganda Twisa, and Chawmanu, will be added. Work has already started. Each market will have an office, auction platform, drinking water facilities, stalls, laboratory, grading and sorting system, weighing system, and warehouse. For the first seven markets, we have received Rs 2.10 crore from the central government. Our main aim is to double the income of farmers and ensure they get the proper price for their products. The main base of development and economy is agriculture,” the minister said.
