Tripura govt starts procuring paddy from farmers

Tripura government Monday started procuring paddy from farmers in the state as the Food Corporation of Indian which procured paddy last year has declined to do so this year.

"We procured 10,000 metric tonne of paddy last year with support from Food Corporation of India (FCI). But FCI this year declined to buy paddy so we have decided to procure 10,000 MT paddy at Rs. 1,750 per quintal on our own," Tripura Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manoj Kanti Deb told reporters.

The joint director of Food and Civil Supplies, Manik Lal Baidya said procurement started on Monday at Sabroo in South Tripura district, Sonmura in Sipahijala district, Teliamura in Khowai district and Udaipur in Gomati district and the whole state would be covered in a phased manner.

"We sold paddy last year and also this year and could make profit. Some of the villagers, who did not sell paddy to the FCI last year sold paddy to the state government this year", said Aminul Islam, a farmer from Kulubari in