High yielding rice varieties change Tripura villages

Bagma (South Tripura), May 24 (UNI) The high-yielding rice variety Nabin, Shanti and Pusha-44 have changed the economy of five villages of the Bagma segment in South Tripura, about 50 kms south-west of Agartala.

With help from ICAR Research Complex, Tripura centre, about 30 hectares, including seven hectares of wasteland in the villages, are now covered by green crops, while about a 100 marginal farmers have got an assurance of food security round the year, official sources said here today.

Due to the emergence of militancy in last decade, the poor villagers were seriously affected in the region. A number of internal displacements were also reported in the area but now it becomes a model agricultural village of the state.

Talking to media persons here, village panchayat chief Ms Mukul Rani Majumder said that the agriculture of the area has received a tremendous boost when National Agricultural Bank for Rural Development (NABARD) and ICAR Tripura centre came forward with a wasteland development project.

''Now we are not purchasing any agri or horticultural produces from outside rather we are feeding our surplus to the neighbouring towns,'' farmer Subhas Majumder said.

According to ICAR scientist Dr S.P.Das, who is coordinating the project said that Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttak, had supplied the high yielding rice seeds some two years back, which is now producing seven tonnes rich from each hectare of land.

''Only six kgs of seed per hectare of land is enough for good cultivation of the verity,'' said Dr Das.

Announcing the new programme in the area Joint Director of ICAR Research Complex, Tripura centre Prof N.P.Singh said that besides, agriculture and horticulture, fishery and poultry would be set up soon in the village as part of the state government's programme to make Tripura self-sufficient in food production.

''All e-facilities would be extended by this financial year in the villages while setting up of a community information centre and display unit of agri and horticultural produces are on cards, Prof Singh added.

UNI