Agartala, July 31, 2025: The Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department has set an ambitious target of cultivating hybrid rice on 25,200 hectares of land using the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method during the upcoming 2025–26 Kharif season.

State Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced the initiative during his visit to the Simna Assembly Constituency, where he participated in a symbolic paddy transplantation programme aimed at motivating farmers and engaging the youth in agriculture.

Providing a snapshot of the state’s agricultural performance, Nath informed that in 2024–25, hybrid rice was cultivated across 35,000 hectares with 8,630 hectares covered in the Kharif season and 26,370 hectares in Rabi. Annually, paddy cultivation spans approximately 15 lakh kani in Tripura, comprising 9.01 lakh kani under Aman, 3.94 lakh kani under Boro, and 85,000 kani under jhum cultivation.

The minister noted that 30 out of the state’s 58 blocks particularly in South Tripura, Gomati and Sepahijala districts have already achieved self-sufficiency in food grain production.

Highlighting the strategic focus on bridging the production-consumption gap, Nath emphasized the importance of the SRI technique. “To maximise yield, hybrid paddy seedlings must be transplanted within 20 days, which could lead to an increase of 80 kg per kani,” he explained.

Addressing growing demand trends, he stated that Tripura’s rice requirement rose from 8.26 lakh metric tonnes (MT) in 2017–18 to 8.77 lakh MT in 2024–25, while production increased from 7.70 lakh MT to 8.30 lakh MT during the same period leaving a shortfall of nearly 47,000 MT.

To close the gap, the state government is offering financial aid and input support for farmers adopting hybrid varieties. Nath reiterated the state’s commitment to enhancing both productivity and farmer incomes, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global leader in food grain storage and export.