Tripura Minister Urges Central Agricultural University and Railway Aid to Empower Farmers

Tripura’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath met with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on May 9, advocating for the establishment of a new Central Agricultural University in Tripura by merging existing constituent colleges. This initiative aims to foster enhanced agricultural education, research, and training in the state, addressing pressing gaps in the sector.

During the meeting, Minister Nath emphasized the vital role agriculture plays in Tripura’s economy, noting that paddy is the predominant food grain crop. He underscored the need to boost the production and productivity of paddy while enhancing cropping intensity. However, he pointed out the significant challenge posed by the labor-intensive nature of paddy cultivation and the acute shortage of farm laborers in the state, which complicates timely agricultural operations.

Minister Nath also addressed the catastrophic flooding that struck Tripura from August 19 to 22, 2024, causing severe crop losses. He indicated that much of the farm machinery distributed over the past five years was damaged in the disaster, further exacerbating the struggles faced by farmers.

In his discussions, he called for an extension of the stoppage time for Delhi-bound express trains at Dharmanagar Railway Station from two to five minutes. This adjustment would facilitate the loading of agricultural commodities and improve marketing prospects for farmers. Nath also proposed the introduction of refrigerated compartments in express trains to aid in the transport of perishable horticultural products like jackfruit and pineapple.

Additionally, he raised concerns regarding the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), pointing out that the operational guidelines since 2020 exclude “inundation” as a localized peril calamity for paddy crop risk coverage. This exclusion means farmers who suffer losses due to flooding currently receive no compensation. Nath urged a review of this provision to ensure justice for affected farmers.

In conclusion, Minister Nath’s proposals during the meeting reflect a strong commitment to enhancing agricultural resilience and infrastructure in Tripura, aiming to uplift the farming community and bolster the state’s agricultural output.

Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/tripura/story/tripura-minister-demands-central-agricultural-university-in-state-railway-support-for-farmers-1211375-2025-05-10?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-05-10 08:22:00