Agartala, June 24, 2025: In a major agricultural initiative, Tripura’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced that the state government has set an ambitious target to cultivate hybrid rice on 25,000 hectares and fragrant rice on 500 hectares during the upcoming Kharif season. The announcement was made during a one-day review meeting of the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments held at the State Agricultural Research Centre in Arundhatinagar on Monday.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Nath said, “We are planning to significantly boost agricultural productivity by adopting modern and scientific methods, making Tripura self-reliant in food grain production.” The meeting was attended by Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy, officials from various districts, and senior members of the Agriculture Standing Committee.

Under the Chief Minister’s Integrated Crop Management Programme (MICMP), improved quality paddy will be cultivated on 47,946 hectares, with farmers receiving ₹5,650 per hectare in assistance. For hybrid paddy cultivation, farmers will get ₹9,000 per hectare. The aim is to achieve an additional yield of 2 metric tons per hectare.

Other targets for the Kharif season include the cultivation of Maskalai on 1,000 hectares and almond on 500 hectares for demonstration. New orchards will be developed on 1,300 hectares, while old orchards will be renovated on 600 hectares. The state also plans to cultivate flowers on 457 hectares, spices on 180 hectares, and oil palm on over 7,000 hectares. More than 7 lakh oil palm saplings have already been prepared in state nurseries.

Additionally, assistance of ₹3,000 each will be provided to 4,000 farmers for potato cultivation under the ARC system in the Rabi season. Pineapple cultivation will be expanded over 2,000 hectares using the staggered method.

To support mechanization, the government will distribute 45,000 soil health cards, 1,550 power tillers, 1,000 pump sets, 5,000 spray machines, 3,000 hoing machines, and set up 100 farm machinery banks, each equipped with equipment worth ₹10 lakh.

Under the Rural Agricultural Development (RAD) scheme, 225 piggery, poultry, and fish hatchery units will be distributed. Development work for 52 rural haats is already underway.

Urban horticulture will also see a boost, with four coconut saplings to be given to each of 5,000 families in urban areas. For the first time, subsidy will be offered for betel leaf cultivation in the state.

Minister Nath urged officials to complete the distribution of Kharif seeds to farmers by June 30, stressing timely support to ensure success. He called upon all stakeholders to work collectively to embrace innovation and fulfil the state’s vision of “One Tripura, Best Tripura” under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.