Rising farmers' income crucial for state development: Tripura CM
Agartala, June 20
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said that enhancing farmers' incomes remains one of the state government's key objectives, asserting that stronger farmers would lead to the development of villages, which in turn would drive the state's and the nation's progress.
The Chief Minister said that if villages develop, the state develops, and only when the state develops can the country achieve real progress.
"In the past, farmers often fell into debt while cultivating their agricultural land," he remarked while participating in the programme marking the direct transfer of the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) to farmers' bank accounts at the Tripura State Agriculture Research Centre in Arundhatinagar on the outskirts of Agartala.
"Intending to free farmers from such hardships, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM-Kisan scheme. Farmers are the backbone of society and its breadwinners. Even under adverse conditions, they continue to provide food to the people," Saha said.
He added that since 2018, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government came to power, the state has been implementing a series of initiatives aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of farmers and at doubling their income.
"Several projects have already been implemented with positive outcomes. Through the direct procurement of paddy from farmers, more than Rs 529 crore has been transferred directly to their bank accounts. Owing to the effective implementation of both Central and state government schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Krishi Vikas Yojana, agricultural production has increased significantly, and farmers' incomes have also risen," he said.
The Chief Minister further stated that the government has placed special emphasis on improving the fertility of agricultural land across the state. As part of these efforts, more than 2.53 lakh Soil Health Cards have been issued to farmers so far.
"Farmers have also been provided with improved agricultural inputs through subsidies amounting to Rs 233.63 crore. In 2018-19, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs 30.37 crore was transferred to the accounts of more than 1.51 lakh farmers. In the current financial year, over 2.16 lakh farmers in the state will benefit from the scheme, receiving more than Rs 43.32 crore directly into their bank accounts," Saha said.
He noted that development initiatives can be effectively implemented only in a peaceful and conducive environment.
"Development activities are progressing at a rapid pace because a positive and peaceful atmosphere has been created in the state. A Viksit Bharat can be achieved through the creation of Viksit States," the Chief Minister added.
Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath was also present on the occasion.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's good to see state governments prioritizing agriculture. In Canada, we have strong farming cooperatives, but India's small landholdings make it challenging. The soil health card initiative sounds promising—it's something we could learn from. That said, direct cash transfers alone won't solve structural issues like fragmented land and water scarcity. Hope they invest in irrigation too.
I appreciate the focus on farmers, but as a resident of Agartala, I see the ground reality differently. Many farmers still complain about delayed payments and lack of proper storage facilities. The PM-KISAN money often goes towards repaying informal loans taken from local moneylenders at high interest. Paper schemes are fine, but implementation on the ground needs more transparency. Still, better than previous governments, at least something is happening.
"Viksit Bharat through Viksit States"—well said! Development starts at grassroots. But I wish govt would also focus on reducing middlemen exploitation. Farmers should get direct market access and fair prices for their produce. The ₹529 crore for paddy procurement is impressive, but what about other crops? Tripura has huge potential for bamboo and horticulture products. #DoublingFarmersIncome should be more than just a slogan.
Interesting to compare with agricultural policies in the West. In the US, farm subsidies are huge but often benefit large corporate farms, not smallholders. India's approach with direct cash transfers to individual farmers seems more equitable. The soil health card and subsidy distribution of ₹233 crore shows systematic effort. However, I wonder if these measures truly double incomes in real terms when adjusted for inflation and rising costs of farm inputs.
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