AGARTALA, April 23 (TIWN): 24.3% area is available for agriculture use. The chief occupation of the population in the state is agriculture. The main activity of more than three-fourths of the workers is agriculture, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

The chief occupation of the population in the state is agriculture. The main activity of more than three-fourths of the workers is agriculture. About 24.3% area is available for agriculture use, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

Stress on agricultural development during the last decades was given for the increase in production of food grains. By providing essential inputs in the form of improved seeds, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals and by increasing substantially the area of cultivation under HYV programme, it has been possible for the state to raise production of food grains, Manik Sarkar mentioned. 

He further said that significant steps have been taken to bring larger and larger areas under the plant protection scheme. It is irrigation, the one input which can do a lot for diversification, multiple cropping and increasing yield of crops. But the progress on this front has not been satisfactory. Another important input is seed. Initially the state government faced considerable difficulties in bringing seed from outside the state due to high cost. But now, large-sized seed multiplication firms have been set up. Besides, a seed bank is operating, he added.