Agartala, January 23, 2026: The Tripura government will procure 18,000 metric tonnes of paddy during the upcoming procurement season starting January 28, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury announced on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing, Chowdhury said the procurement drive will commence from Dharmanagar in North Tripura district. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to supporting farmers through regular procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), a practice maintained since the current administration took office.

“This year too, we are continuing our promise to the farmers. A preparatory meeting has already been held, and procurement will begin shortly,” the minister said.

Chowdhury also revealed that the MSP for paddy has been revised upward from ₹23 to ₹23.69 per kilogram. Since 2018, the state has procured 2,44,303 metric tonnes of paddy, benefiting approximately 1.25 lakh farmers and involving an expenditure of ₹489.71 crore.

Criticizing previous administrations, Chowdhury accused them of neglecting farmers’ welfare and failing to implement consistent procurement policies. “We have now adopted a new policy framework, in line with other progressive states, to ensure farmers’ interests are protected,” he added.

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who also addressed the media, said the procurement initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost farmers’ incomes. He noted that the average monthly income of farmers in Tripura has more than doubled—from ₹6,580 in 2015–16 to ₹13,590 at present.

Nath further highlighted the state’s focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, which he said is crucial for improving the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are working towards holistic development, and paddy production in Tripura has shown consistent growth,” he stated.