Agartala, May 06, 2025: Onion cultivation is gaining popularity in Tripura, a non-traditional onion-growing state in Northeast India, thanks to scientific interventions and coordinated efforts by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre. The state’s favourable agroclimatic conditions, including a mild tropical climate and an average annual rainfall of 2,000 mm have shown promising results for onion farming despite its past underutilization.

India grows onions across three seasons- rabi, late kharif, and kharif with rabi contributing around 50% of national production, late kharif 30%, and kharif 20%. Varietal selection, based on season, photoperiod, and temperature, is crucial for success. In Tripura, the focus is on expanding onion cultivation under vegetable-based cropping systems, given the limited landholdings per household.

During 2024–25, more than 150 kg of improved onion seeds including Bhima Super for late kharif and Bhima Shakti for rabi were distributed to around 500 farmers, KVKs, FPOs, and the Directorate of Horticulture. These varieties have shown a productivity potential of 28–30 tonnes per hectare under Tripura conditions.

Success stories have begun to emerge. Sudhan Das, a farmer from Uttar Tulamura village, Gomati District cultivated Bhima Super and Bhima Shubhra varieties and harvested 200 kg of onion, earning ₹6,000 from bulb sales and ₹5,000 from green tender leaves, in addition to income from other vegetables. Similarly, Debabrata Dhar, also from Gomati, produced 600 kg of Bhima Shakti and earned ₹18,000 from bulb sales at ₹30/kg, along with ₹4,000 from leaf sales.

Farmers in other districts- Sepahijala, Dhalai, Unakoti, West Tripura and South Tripura are also adopting onion cultivation. The initiative is part of the All India Network Project on Onion and Garlic, implemented by ICAR in collaboration with Bagma Agri Producer Company, Kakraban Agri Farmers Fed Producer Company, Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), KVKs, and the Directorate of Horticulture.

Dr. Biswajit Das, Principal Scientist, along with Dr. Bapi Das and Dr. B. U. Choudhury, led the technical training and input distribution. Dr. P. B. Jamatia, Director of Agriculture, Govt. of Tripura, expressed optimism: “The performance of these improved onion varieties at farmers’ fields is encouraging. We appreciate the efforts of ICAR scientists in promoting onion cultivation in the state.”

With sustained support, Tripura is on course to reduce its dependence on onion imports from Maharashtra, thereby minimizing post-harvest losses and ensuring better income for local farmers.