Different from Leftists, BJP unleashes move to boost Tripura's agro busiiness : State aims 50,000 hectares of organic farming, to export Bird's Eye Chilli to Germany

CPA conference wants North East to be 'included' in India-ASEAN vision for trade and cooperation

The meet attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and Speakers of various state legislatures among others recommend merger of NEC with the DoNER ministry.

The conference also adopted the resolution for the inclusion of the Northeast region in the India-ASEAN vision for trade and cooperation. 

During a plenary discussion on Saturday, Sept 28, the conference  unanimously adopted the resolution to merge NEC with the DoNER ministry.  

Those who took part in the conference felt the necessity of a separate Departmental Related Standing Committee (DRSC) in Parliament exclusively for the Ministry of DONER to oversee the functioning of the ministry and NEC, which will strengthen the legislative oversight on their functioning and effective implementation of schemes and policies.

This will ensure greater accountability and strengthen the oversight of the Ministry of DoNER and its implementing agencies to the people through the Parliament.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Nagaland assembly speaker and chairman of CPA India region zone-III Sharingain Longkumar and Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma were among the important dignitaries, who attended the event.

Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath has said that the state government has set a target to cultivate organic farming on around 50,000 hectares of land in the state, with plans to export Bird’s Eye Chilli to Germany.

Nath made these remarks after distributing transport vehicles (pick-up vans) to the Farmers Producer Company (FPC) at the SARS Complex, AD Nagar in Agartala. 

The initiative aims to empower local farmers by enhancing their logistical capabilities, enabling them to transport their produce more efficiently to markets and distribution centers.

The Minister highlighted the various initiatives taken by the government to help farmers double their income.

“Especially after Narendra Modi took charge as Prime Minister, the government has been emphasising scientific and organic cultivation to maintain environmental sustainability. The idea is to practice farming without the use of fertilizers and chemicals. The government is taking all necessary steps to assist farmers, from production to market sales. 

In the past six years, we have provided 30 such vehicles, and today we are distributing 4 more. We have formed 40 FPCs. The main point is that cultivation alone is not the solution; if we can't sell the produce, everything will go to waste. 

That's why the FPC service Providers, in collaboration with the Agriculture Department, have formed FPCs to focus on scientific and organic cultivation,” he said.

Minister Nath also mentioned that the state government has successfully exported Queen Pineapple to Germany and has now received an order to export Bird’s Eye Chilli.

“We have sent pineapples to Germany. We have received a demand from Germany for Bird’s Eye Chilli, where the demand is high. 

To cultivate more such organic products, including scented rice, we are working diligently. Before the BJP government came into power, we had 2,000 hectares of organic farming land. 

Now, over 20,000 hectares are under organic cultivation, and this year, we have added another 6,000 hectares. We are introducing new technology and have set a target to cultivate organic farming on 50,000 hectares of land,” he said.