Agartala, Feb 15 (TIWN): Cultivable land in the state continues to shrink; this was stated in a written reply asked by congress MLA Ratan Lal Nath at legislative assembly by agriculture minister Aghore Debbarma. Latest data given by the minister shows that from 989 hectare of cultivable land hand shrinked in 2014 compare to 2013.

According to agriculture expert  it may not pose an immediate problem for the state’s food security but its long – term effect could be disastrous with the state needing more and more food grains to support its growing population.

 The minister stated the decrease is mainly attributed to diversion of cultivable land for non – agricultural purposes, including construction, industries and other development activities.    

Since land falls under purview of states as per the seventh Schedule of the Constitution, its for states to bring in suitable policy to prevent diversion of agricultural land for non – agricultural purposes.     The centre had under its 2007 policy advised states to allow development projects to come up on wastelands. 

Under NRRP , states were advised that acquisition of agricultural land for non agricultural use should be kept to the minimum, multi – cropped land should be avoided to the extent possible for such purposes and acquisition of irrigated land, in unavoidable, may be kept to the minimum.   But it seems, Tripura have not followed the norms, leading to overall decrease 949 hectares of cultivable land.  

Though the shrinkage did not have adverse impact but the ever declining trend of cultivable land may pose a serious challenge in the long run