AGARTALA, March 7 (TIWN): The two day long 16th Biennial Conference of Tripura Gramin Bank Employees’ Association’s (TGBEA) was held at Matangini Pritilata Auditorium, here today. Minister for Public Works (Drinking Water and Sanitation) Ratan Bhowmik inaugurated the conference. The conference will continue till March 8.

Addressing in the inaugural ceremony Ratan Bhowmik urged to the banks of the state to help the farmers in getting loan for agricultural development. Agriculture forms the primary sector of Tripura's economy as it does in other states of northeastern region. More than 75% of the state's total workforce is still dependent on agriculture for their subsistence. In fact, about 24.3 % of the state's net area is reserved for agricultural purposes, of which about 2.5 lack hectares fall under the net cultivated area.

The state takes elaborate measures to spruce up the agricultural infrastructure. New technologies, fertilizers, improved seeds and protective chemicals have been introduced with a great deal of success to keep the state's agriculture in healthy shape, Bhowmik said.

Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Dr. Prafullajit Sinha and other dignitaries were present in the conference.