Draft Eighth Plan 1990-95 Volume II (Tripura)

Abstract

From Introduction: The economy of the State is basically agrarian and more than 10% of the population depends on Agriculture for their livelihood. It contributes a major share of the income of the State. As per 1988-89 estimate, 59.1% of the total holdings (1.95 lakh ha.) is occupied by the small and marginal farmers group having less than 2 hectares of land. The average size of holdings is about 1.07 Ha. Only 21% of the total area is under cultivation. The percentage of area under irrigation (net) is only 9.6% of gross cropped area. There is not much scope to bring further area under cultivation without necessary relaxation of the provision of the Central Forest Act, Thus, agriculture in the State is almost fully dependent on rainfall. Inspite of the above limitations, the production and productivity of foodgrain compares favourably with the National average.