Tripura Agriculture Minister urges Central Agricultural University setup; discusses vital farmer-centric reforms with Union Minister to boost agriculture.
Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath recently met with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to advocate for the establishment of a Central Agricultural University in Tripura. The minister emphasized the importance of agriculture in the state, particularly the cultivation of paddy as a major food grain crop.
During the meeting, Minister Nath also raised concerns about the challenges faced by farmers in Tripura, including the shortage of farm laborers and the impact of natural disasters such as floods. He highlighted the devastating flood that occurred in August 2024, resulting in significant crop losses and damage to farm machinery.
To address these issues, Minister Nath proposed policy changes to support farmers, including the inclusion of “inundation” as a covered risk under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to ensure compensation for farmers affected by flooding. He also called for improved transport infrastructure for agricultural produce, such as the installation of refrigerated compartments in express trains to facilitate the transportation of perishable horticultural products.
Additionally, Minister Nath requested an extension of stoppage times for Delhi-bound express trains at Dharmanagar Railway Station to allow for easier loading of agricultural commodities. He emphasized the need for greater support for farmers in marketing their produce and suggested ways to enhance agricultural education, research, training, and consultancy in the state through the establishment of a new Central Agricultural University by integrating existing constituent colleges.
Overall, Minister Nath’s meeting with the Union Agriculture Minister aimed to address the various challenges faced by farmers in Tripura and to advocate for policies and initiatives that would support the growth and development of the agricultural sector in the state.
