Tripura announces Rs 23.21 crore aid package for cyclone-affected farmers

AGARTALA: The Tripura government has announced a substantial aid package of Rs 23.21 crore to support around 81,000 farmers who suffered significant losses due to cyclones Midhili and Michaung.

Tripura agriculture minister Ratan Lal Nath announced this relief measure.

Nath detailed that the distribution program is scheduled for July 04 at the Jolaibari area in South Tripura district.

“Between November 16 and 18, 2023, Cyclone Midhili, and Cyclone Michaung from December 06 to 8, 2023, caused extensive damage to farmers’ crops, resulting in significant losses. Approximately 58,210 farmers were affected, with 23,171 hectares of land experiencing fruit loss,” said Nath.

To compensate these affected farmers, the Tripura agriculture department has allocated Rs 14.58 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), based on a compensation rate of Rs 8500 per hectare.

Additionally, the Tripura horticulture department has sanctioned Rs 7.38 crore for 20,078 farmers whose tomato crops were destroyed by the cyclones, also under the SDRF scheme.

Nath mentioned that the department has already requested further compensation under the SDRF scheme for farmers impacted by heavy rains on May 28, 2024.

In a significant boost to agricultural trade, Nath highlighted the state's produce gaining attention at a buyer-seller conference in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

The Tripura government is planning to organize similar conferences within the state to further promote agricultural trade.

Highlighting the demand for Tripura's delicious pineapples, including the GI-tagged “Queen” variety, Nath announced that 30 tonnes of Kew-variety pineapples were dispatched to Bangalore on Wednesday (June 26), enhancing trade prospects.

Additionally, Nath announced the selection of 59 agriculture officers (Grade-1) through the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC).