Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath Saturday said the Khowai and Dhalai districts were on their way to becoming self-sufficient in foodgrain production. “Dhalai and Khowai will attain self-sufficiency in the production of foodgrain if rainfall remains favourable this year,” Nath said, and added that the government is prioritising urban farming and horticulture in the West Tripura district due to limited availability of land. Addressing an event at the State Agriculture Research Station in Arundhati Nagar, the minister said the launch of PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, National Pulses Mission, and the National Mission on Natural Farming has greatly benefited Tripura. Under the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, 100 districts across the country, including the North Tripura district, have been selected for increasing the production of foodgrain. “The agricultural area and foodgrain production would be enhanced through this (PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana) scheme. At present, South Tripura, Gomati, and Sepahijala districts are self-sufficient, whereas Dhalai, North Tripura, Unakoti, Khowai, and West Tripura districts are still lagging behind,” Nath said. The minister further said that Tripura has ranked sixth in the country in terms of rice production, with an average of 3,299 kg per hectare yield against the national average of 2,882 kg per hectare. The production of pulses in Tripura is 856 kg per hectare, which is slightly below the national average of 881 kg per hectare, Nath added. “Tripura used to import potatoes, but the state will become self-sufficient in potato and onion production in three years. We also inspire farmers to produce more pulses and adopt organic farming,” he said.
