Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb appealed to the Officials of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare department to rise above the limitations of self-satisfaction and go beyond the boundaries of statistics based completion of duties – he stressed the need to assess the effectiveness of the target set for projects and to conduct regular review meetings.
Deb made the suggestion while addressing the 10th Biennial Conference of Tripura Agriculture Graduates’ Association (TAGA) in Agartala on Sunday.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that the State Government had prioritized the usage of modern technology and innovative ideas instead of traditional farming practices.
“It is pertinent to conduct research works for the growth of Agri-sector and hold regular interaction with the successful farmers for identification of new strategies to augment production”, Deb said.
He said the volume of wasteland in the State has almost shrunk to nil due to several pro-farmers initiatives of the Government. “The Annadata people are reaping profit by cultivating short-term cash crop using the modern technology. The farmers are becoming self-reliant cultivating pineapple, scented lemon, jackfruits, betel leaf etc.”, Deb commented.
During the Conference, TAGA members donated Rs 51 thousand to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) today. The Chief Minister also unveiled a souvenir of the Association. Deb held interactions with the Officials of the Agriculture department. Among others Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Pranajit Singha Roy was also present in the inaugural session of the Conference.
Pranajit Singha Roy, in his speech, referred to recent rains under the influence of Jawad and said the unseasonal rains have caused huge losses for the farmers – the State Government is looking into the plight of the farmers.
“Steps have been initiated to estimate the farmers’ losses. The State Government is working to save the farmers from crop losses. Besides, the State Government is also working to increase the income of the farmers as well as slash the cost of cultivation through different measures”, Singha Roy commented.
He pointed out the Government has also made proper arrangements for marketing the Agri produces as well as stressed organic farming.