In a bid to boost agricultural diversification, Tripura is venturing into the cultivation of exotic fruits such as mangosteen, rambutan, and avocado. The state’s Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, unveiled this ambitious plan at the Nagicherra Horticulture Research Centre in Agartala.
Minister Nath emphasized that the introduction of these exotic fruits aims to not only increase farmers’ income but also open up new opportunities for commercial cultivation. He highlighted the unique qualities of these fruits, stating that mangosteen is highly prized for its taste and avocado is particularly beneficial for diabetic patients. These fruits have never been cultivated in Tripura before, but the state has now taken the first steps towards growing them. Two mangosteen saplings from Karnataka have already been planted, and rambutan in both red and yellow varieties is currently undergoing trial cultivation. If successful, these fruits will be promoted for widespread cultivation across the state.
Looking ahead, Minister Nath also revealed plans to introduce kiwi, blueberry, and blackberry crops in the near future. Currently, 46 hectares of land in Tripura are dedicated to avocado cultivation.
In addition to the focus on exotic fruits, Minister Nath addressed the issue of potato cultivation in the state. He highlighted efforts to reduce reliance on external sources for potato seeds, with over 23,000 farmers cultivating potatoes on more than 7,000 hectares in Tripura. Previously, farmers had to purchase seeds from various markets, resulting in high costs. To address this, a new seed production process was introduced through the Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) in 2023-24. Potatoes cultivated through this initiative were distributed to farmers, reducing their dependency on external sources.
Overall, these initiatives are part of Tripura’s broader strategy to enhance agricultural self-reliance and promote high-value crops to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the region. With the introduction of exotic fruits and efforts to strengthen potato cultivation, Tripura is poised to make significant strides in its agricultural sector.
