Agartala, March 7 (NationPress) The food grain output in Tripura has surged by 12 percent this year compared to the previous year. Moreover, there has been an uptick in youth involvement in agriculture, with many embracing innovative techniques, stated Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Saturday.

During the inauguration of the state-level ‘Kisan Mela 2025-26’ and the distribution of the State and District Level Best Farmers Awards at Pragna Bhavan, the minister emphasized the vital role farmers play in bolstering the state’s economy.

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to “produce more, connect more, and export more,” Nath affirmed that agriculture is pivotal to India’s growth.

“The Prime Minister recognizes four crucial demographics— the poor, youth, women, and farmers. Empowering these groups will expedite the nation’s progress. Hence, farmers are prioritized,” he stated.

The minister noted that Tripura is home to approximately 4.72 lakh farmers within a population of around 42.22 lakh, underscoring the sector's significance to the state’s economy.

“This Kisan Mela celebrates the hard work of farmers committed to ensuring food security. Enhancing agriculture will significantly impact the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP),” Nath said.

He elaborated that agriculture encompasses allied sectors like animal husbandry, fisheries, and forestry, indicating that Tripura's farmers have the potential to expand into these areas.

According to the minister, Tripura has about 65.57 lakh kani of land, with approximately 30.17 lakh kani allocated for cultivation, including nearly 15 lakh kani for paddy.

“Given the state’s limited flat land and extensive forested areas, the government is promoting modern scientific farming methods to enhance productivity,” he explained.

Nath mentioned that Sepahijala district has reached the highest level of self-sufficiency in paddy production this year, followed by South and Gomati districts, with Khowai district also attaining self-sufficiency.

The other four districts—Dhalai, Unakoti, North, and West—are still striving for self-reliance in paddy production, he added, noting that the government is dedicated to achieving this goal in all districts.

Highlighting advancements in sustainable agriculture, Nath shared that organic cultivation in Tripura has expanded from 2,000 hectares to nearly 26,500 hectares over the last seven years.

“There is a rising global demand for our organic products, including bird’s eye chilli, ginger, Kalikhasa rice, and turmeric, with interest from countries like Germany,” he stated.

He also noted that natural farming practices have been expanded to about 5,550 hectares across the state.

“Food grain production has increased by 12 percent this year compared to last year. More youths are joining the agricultural sector, bringing innovative ideas that are yielding fruitful results,” Nath concluded.

During the event, the minister honored ten farmers at the state level with awards of Rs 50,000 each, while eighty district-level farmers received Rs 25,000 each. Additionally, nearly 300 farmers will be awarded Rs 10,000 each at the block level.