In a bid to bolster the agricultural sector and improve the well-being of farmers, the state government is taking significant strides towards modernizing farming practices and ensuring the prosperity of the agricultural community, said Tripura’s Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath.
He added, Agriculture and agriculture-related industries continue to be the lifeblood of the state’s economy, contributing to a substantial 43 percent of the total GDP, largely thanks to the dedication of hardworking farmers.
Nath was speaking at an event in which job offer letters to 401 job aspirants who cleared the JRBT. The programme was held in Agartala on Wednesday.
These new recruits will soon assume the role of Agri Assistants within the Tripura Agriculture Field Service Grade-III.
Minister Nath underscored the government’s vision for the agriculture sector, emphasizing a shift from traditional farming to modern and scientifically-driven agricultural practices. Acknowledging the pivotal role of Agri Assistants in transitioning farmers to contemporary methods, Nath highlighted the state’s current workforce of 460 Agri Assistants, with the addition of 401 new recruits.
In an era where technology plays an increasingly prominent role in agriculture, Nath stressed the importance of mechanization, from land preparation to crop cultivation. The Department of Agriculture is actively providing farmers with advanced agricultural machinery to facilitate modern farming techniques. Furthermore, farmers are being equipped with training in cutting-edge agricultural practices, aligning with the government’s commitment to innovation and progress in the sector.
“The self-reliance of our farmers is pivotal to the accelerated development of our nation and state,” emphasized Minister Nath, recognizing the profound role that the agriculture sector plays in the livelihoods of approximately 70 percent of the state’s population.
With a total demand for food grains reaching 9 lakh 45 thousand metric tons, there exists a shortfall in food grain production compared to this demand. In light of this challenge, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is diligently working to augment agricultural output, ensuring the state’s food security.
Key officials such as Apurba Roy, Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, and Sharadindu Das, Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, joined the Minister in this initiative.