AGRICULTURE
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. The principal crops are paddy, wheat,
jute, sugar cane, potato, turmeric, coconut and oil seeds. Agriculture is being
practiced in about 2.5 lakh hectares. 
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.
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. Large
scale demonstration programmes are taken up covering all the branches with a
view to transmitting scientific and progressive technology in the field of
agriculture.
Promotion
of soil and economic equality is a pre-condition for attaining substantial
long-term increase in production. Measures to reduce inequalities should succeed
in eliminating deterrents to work and aggregate labour utilization. But, the
success mainly depends on the political climate.
The
major thrust in land reforms is centred round the protection of interest of the
tribals on land and restoration of alienated land to them. In September 1989
Tripura legislative Assembly passed a Bill relating to land revenue and land
reforms, the important-provision of which are as follows.
-
No land belonging
to tribals can be sold to a non-tribal. Even a decree by a court of law will
not entitle a non-tribal to take possession of tribal land.
-
Land sold or
transferred from a tribal to a non-tribal on or after 1st Jan 1969 will not
be considered valid.
-
No court of law
will be able to pass a decree transferring the title of a tribal land to a
non-tribal.
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