Agartala, March 01, 2025: A group of women from Tripura’s Purba Laxmibil village in Bishalgarh subdivision under Sepahijala district have successfully ventured into the production of herbal abir receiving widespread recognition across the state. With the support of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, they have found an innovative way to utilize locally grown flowers and vegetables, transforming marigold, rose petals, carrots, spinach, and beets into organic abir.

The initiative was born out of necessity. Villages such as Laxmibil, Champamura, Bhatilarma, Gopi Nagar, Golaghati, Raghunathpur, Rautkhala, and KK Nagar, known for their vibrant flower cultivation, faced significant losses due to the absence of cold storage. “Unsold flowers used to go to waste, leading to financial setbacks for farmers. Now, with herbal abir production, we have turned the challenge into an opportunity,” said one of the women involved in the project.

The project took shape in 2022 when 30 women received training under the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department. In 2024, further training in floriculture and modern packaging was conducted under the Central Government’s National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management and the Tripura State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute.

As a result, these women have successfully entered the commercial market, with their herbal abir now sold in Agartala and other local markets. “This initiative has given us financial independence and boosted our confidence,” said another participant.

Officials believe that expanding this initiative with modern projects will further enhance economic prospects for rural women. “This is just the beginning. We aim to scale up production and bring more financial stability to the region,” said a government official.

With the growing demand for organic products, the herbal abir initiative stands as a testament to innovation, empowerment, and sustainable rural development.