Tripura’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Wednesday that the central government has authorized Tripura to certify paddy seeds for the neighboring states of Manipur and Mizoram. This initiative aims to ensure the authenticity and quality of seed distribution in the region. Nath made the announcement during the unveiling of a statue of the distinguished agricultural scientist Dr. M. S. Swaminathan at the State Agriculture Research Station in AD Nagar. He stated that the certification process would be managed by the Tripura Agriculture Department, providing genuine recognition to paddy produced in both Manipur and Mizoram.
During the event, Nath expressed his appreciation for the recognition given to Dr. Swaminathan, recalling the vital contributions of the Green Revolution pioneer to Indian agriculture. He remarked, “Though delayed, I must thank the Centre for honouring the man who gave Indian agriculture a new shape. It is because of his vision that the country became self-sufficient in food grains. He always emphasized that if agriculture fails, nothing else can be developed. If we cannot prepare a good budget for agriculture, then all other budgets will eventually fail.”
Nath also underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to enhance domestic edible oil production, noting that while India has achieved self-sufficiency in fish and milk, edible oil remains a significant gap. He said, “The Prime Minister has set a goal that by 2030, 72 percent of the edible oil consumed in the country must be produced domestically. This is why the government is focusing strongly on its production.”
Emphasizing the need for modernizing agriculture through integrated farming systems, Nath highlighted that India’s current export basket-comprising rice, sugar, fish, milk, eggs, and spices-benefits from the dedication of farmers and Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary approach. “It is because of this that India today stands second in paddy production,” he added.
Additionally, Nath encouraged farmers in Tripura to maintain close ties with agricultural research centers to adopt modern practices and improve yields. He reported that, out of Tripura’s 58 blocks, 31 have achieved self-sufficiency in food grain cultivation, with the Chandipur RD Block being the latest to join this list.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/tripura/story/centre-authorises-tripura-to-certify-paddy-seeds-for-manipur-and-mizoram-agriculture-minister-1264481-2025-08-20?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-08-20 19:17:00
