Agartala, June 20 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said that enhancing farmers’ incomes remains one of the state government’s key objectives, asserting that stronger farmers would lead to the development of villages, which in turn would drive the state’s and the nation’s progress.

The Chief Minister said that if villages develop, the state develops, and only when the state develops can the country achieve real progress.

“In the past, farmers often fell into debt while cultivating their agricultural land,” he remarked while participating in the programme marking the direct transfer of the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) to farmers’ bank accounts at the Tripura State Agriculture Research Centre in Arundhatinagar on the outskirts of Agartala.

“Intending to free farmers from such hardships, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM-Kisan scheme. Farmers are the backbone of society and its breadwinners. Even under adverse conditions, they continue to provide food to the people,” Saha said.

He added that since 2018, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government came to power, the state has been implementing a series of initiatives aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of farmers and at doubling their income.

“Several projects have already been implemented with positive outcomes. Through the direct procurement of paddy from farmers, more than Rs 529 crore has been transferred directly to their bank accounts. Owing to the effective implementation of both Central and state government schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Krishi Vikas Yojana, agricultural production has increased significantly, and farmers’ incomes have also risen,” he said.

The Chief Minister further stated that the government has placed special emphasis on improving the fertility of agricultural land across the state. As part of these efforts, more than 2.53 lakh Soil Health Cards have been issued to farmers so far.

“Farmers have also been provided with improved agricultural inputs through subsidies amounting to Rs 233.63 crore. In 2018-19, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs 30.37 crore was transferred to the accounts of more than 1.51 lakh farmers. In the current financial year, over 2.16 lakh farmers in the state will benefit from the scheme, receiving more than Rs 43.32 crore directly into their bank accounts,” Saha said.

He noted that development initiatives can be effectively implemented only in a peaceful and conducive environment.

“Development activities are progressing at a rapid pace because a positive and peaceful atmosphere has been created in the state. A Viksit Bharat can be achieved through the creation of Viksit States,” the Chief Minister added.

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath was also present on the occasion.

–IANS

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