Agartala (Tripura) [India], Tripura State Committee of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Saturday briefed State Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha about the serious agricultural and rural crisis in the state. The meeting held at the State Secretariat was followed by a press conference where AIKS State Committee Secretary Pabitra Kar outlined the discussions and assurances received.
Pabitra Kar highlighted the dire scenario of Boro paddy production this year and predicted a decline of 50-60 per cent due to inadequate irrigation facilities. He also expressed concern over the encroachment on agricultural land by land mafia, due to which the cultivable land has reduced significantly. Additionally, falling rubber prices have increased farmers' financial problems. AIKS has sought interim financial assistance similar to the measures taken by the Kerala government to mitigate these losses.Another worrying issue raised was the recent elephant attacks, which resulted in the death of 15 people. Kar attributed these attacks to dwindling food supplies in the forests, forcing elephants and monkeys to move into human settlements. The Chief Secretary assured that special steps will be taken to solve the problem.
AIKS also demanded compensation for farmers affected by frequent natural disasters. Kar said the Chief Secretary promised an early government decision on the matter. Furthermore, the collapse of the MNREGA work program was highlighted, with workers getting less than 30 days of employment instead of the mandated 90 days.AIKS leader Pranab Debbarma talked about the dire situation in tribal areas, citing a letter from opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhary. The Chief Secretary accepted the letter and assured appropriate action.
Assistant Secretary Ratan Das drew attention to the poor condition of electricity and roads. He informed that the Chief Secretary took note of these issues and promised necessary intervention. Kar reminded that the agricultural crisis in Tripura predates recent disasters. Farmers cultivating betel and betel nuts are particularly badly affected, with about 100,000 people dependent on these crops facing economic ruin. At present there are about 25,000 betel and betel nuts farmers in the state, mainly in the northern districts and Unakoti, with Jampui being a major agricultural area.The collapse of this multimillion-dollar industry has been compounded by the blockage of outside traders by police and political agents, forcing farmers to sell their produce at rock-bottom prices and leaving them in debt.
AIKS has demanded minimum support price for these crops. Kar expressed regret that despite repeated appeals to the concerned authorities, the government has not taken any action. Other AIKS leaders including Siddiqur Rahman and Subhash Nath also attended the press conference.
Pabitra Kar highlighted the dire scenario of Boro paddy production this year and predicted a decline of 50-60 per cent due to inadequate irrigation facilities. He also expressed concern over the encroachment on agricultural land by land mafia, due to which the cultivable land has reduced significantly. Additionally, falling rubber prices have increased farmers' financial problems. AIKS has sought interim financial assistance similar to the measures taken by the Kerala government to mitigate these losses.Another worrying issue raised was the recent elephant attacks, which resulted in the death of 15 people. Kar attributed these attacks to dwindling food supplies in the forests, forcing elephants and monkeys to move into human settlements. The Chief Secretary assured that special steps will be taken to solve the problem.
AIKS also demanded compensation for farmers affected by frequent natural disasters. Kar said the Chief Secretary promised an early government decision on the matter. Furthermore, the collapse of the MNREGA work program was highlighted, with workers getting less than 30 days of employment instead of the mandated 90 days.AIKS leader Pranab Debbarma talked about the dire situation in tribal areas, citing a letter from opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhary. The Chief Secretary accepted the letter and assured appropriate action.
Assistant Secretary Ratan Das drew attention to the poor condition of electricity and roads. He informed that the Chief Secretary took note of these issues and promised necessary intervention. Kar reminded that the agricultural crisis in Tripura predates recent disasters. Farmers cultivating betel and betel nuts are particularly badly affected, with about 100,000 people dependent on these crops facing economic ruin. At present there are about 25,000 betel and betel nuts farmers in the state, mainly in the northern districts and Unakoti, with Jampui being a major agricultural area.The collapse of this multimillion-dollar industry has been compounded by the blockage of outside traders by police and political agents, forcing farmers to sell their produce at rock-bottom prices and leaving them in debt.
AIKS has demanded minimum support price for these crops. Kar expressed regret that despite repeated appeals to the concerned authorities, the government has not taken any action. Other AIKS leaders including Siddiqur Rahman and Subhash Nath also attended the press conference.
