Agartala, July 13: The Tripura government on Monday launched paddy procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme at Jolaibari and Rajibnagar in South Tripura district, marking another phase of the state’s procurement drive for the ongoing boro paddy season. The initiative aims to ensure remunerative prices for farmers while facilitating the sale of paddy through government procurement centres.
At Jolaibari, officials from the Food and Agriculture Department jointly began procurement at a centre near the Jolaibari Block Office. The procurement process commenced without a formal inaugural ceremony in view of the state mourning.
Speaking to reporters, Minority Welfare Minister and local MLA Shukla Charan Noatia said procurement at the Jolaibari centre would continue for 11 days. He informed that paddy is being purchased at the government-notified Minimum Support Price of Rs 23.69 per kilogram, ensuring fair returns to cultivators.
The minister said the Agriculture Department has set a target of procuring 1,318 metric tonnes of paddy from farmers under the Jolaibari Agriculture Sub-Division and another 1,100 metric tonnes from the Bagafa Agriculture Sub-Division during the current procurement season.
On the opening day, farmers from nearby villages arrived at the procurement centre with their harvested paddy to sell their produce directly to the government under the MSP programme. Officials monitored the procurement process to ensure smooth operations and timely assistance to farmers.
Meanwhile, the Rajibnagar procurement centre under Satchand Block was formally inaugurated by South Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Dipak Dutta. Agriculture Department officials said around 500 metric tonnes of paddy has already been registered for procurement at the centre, where procurement operations will continue until July 21.
The state government has fixed an overall procurement target of approximately 20,710 metric tonnes of boro paddy during the current season through 31 procurement centres spread across Tripura. In Sabroom subdivision alone, two centres have been established at Rajibnagar and Brajendranagar to facilitate easier access for farmers.
Officials said the procurement drive is intended to ensure that farmers receive the assured MSP without depending on private traders, thereby protecting them from price fluctuations. The initiative is also expected to strengthen food procurement, improve rural incomes and provide timely financial support to cultivators while encouraging higher agricultural productivity across the state.
