Tribal Farmers in Killa Area Express Satisfaction with NABARD-Sponsored FPO Facilities,


Agartalanewslive

Agartala, Jun 11, 2025, By Our Correspondent


 Tribal farmers in the Killa area under Udaipur sub-division of Gomati District have expressed satisfaction with the support provided under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)-sponsored Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO) initiative, implemented through the Tribal Development Fund (TDF) project.The facilities provided by NABARD, particularly through the Bagma Agri Producer Company Limited (BAPCL), have been well-received by the farming community. Farmers have reported timely benefits, including access to essential inputs and services, which they say are more efficiently delivered by BAPCL than through traditional government channels.However, tribal farmers have also raised several pressing concerns. While the use of fertilizers such as urea (6 kg), phosphorus (18 kg), and potassium (2 kg) has become routine, farmers stressed the need for these to be distributed in a timely manner to maximize crop yields. Additionally, significant issues were reported regarding the distribution of seeds, especially for paddy cultivation. Farmers emphasized that delays and the lack of access to quality seeds hinder productivity.In conversations with the local farming community, it emerged that traditional jhum (slash-and-burn) cultivation is being gradually replaced by plain land cultivation, driven largely by a scarcity of land. The shift in cropping patterns has also been influenced by limited irrigation, labor shortages, and inadequate input support. While the region once supported the cultivation of various seasonal crops, farmers now largely focus on paddy, which is more feasible under current conditions.Despite cultivating vegetables like potato and chili, these crops are primarily grown for household consumption, rather than for market sale. Farmers have also highlighted difficulties in accessing the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, citing the lack of proper land ownership documentation as a barrier.Employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was another area of concern. Farmers reported receiving only 65-70 days of work per year, far below the stipulated 100 days. Additionally, wage disparities persist, with women earning Rs. 500 and men Rs. 600 per day—lower than the Rs. 700–800 wage rate in rubber plantations, causing discontent among laborers.On a positive note, the recent procurement policy of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has enabled tribal farmers to sell paddy at Rs. 1000 per 40 kg, contributing to a better income. However, rising production costs remain a challenge, and farmers are calling for greater government intervention to ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods.Tribal farmers in the region concluded that, while the FPO model under NABARD has significantly improved access to support services, broader systemic issues particularly those related to timely seed distribution, land documentation, and government scheme accessibility still need to be addressed