Tripura government launches a major push to expand orange cultivation and floriculture across mountainous regions, adding new cultivation areas, reviving orchards, and boosting farmer income through scientific support, modern techniques, and the Orange Festival 2025 in Badharghat.
The Tripura government has launched an extensive programme to strengthen orange cultivation and expand floriculture across mountainous and remote regions, aiming to boost agricultural productivity, rural income, and sustainable horticulture. The initiative, led by the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, marks one of the state’s largest horticultural expansion drives in recent years.
Agriculture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Ratan Lal Nath, while inaugurating the State-Level Orange Festival 2025 at the Badharghat Progeny Orchard on the outskirts of Agartala, emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of India and a vital pillar of Tripura’s economy. “Around 46 per cent of GDP contribution comes from farmers. The rest comes from tourism, the service sector, and other areas. There was a time when agriculture was ignored, but now people are returning to it with renewed interest,” he said.
Expansion of Orange Cultivation in Hill Regions
Following scientific evaluations and expert consultations, the department has initiated projects to expand orange cultivation into new zones of the state’s hilly terrain. Areas targeted under the new expansion include:
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Baramura Hills in West Tripura
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Hilly belts of Khowai district
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Mountainous pockets of Gomati district
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Sakhan Hills in Dhalai district
The Minister said these regions hold high potential due to their favourable climate, soil composition, and natural drainage patterns. Efforts are underway to introduce high-quality planting materials, promote climate-resilient practices, and provide farmers with technical support throughout the cultivation cycle.
Farmer Success Stories Highlight Growing Interest
Local farmers have already begun reaping the benefits of the state’s horticultural push. Nath cited the example of a farmer from Jirania who successfully sells Malta oranges grown on his own land for Rs 100 per piece, reflecting both rising demand and the profitability of citrus cultivation in Tripura.
Orange farming is also gaining momentum in regions such as Jirania, Jampui Hills adjoining Mizoram, Sakhang, and Killa, where production has increased significantly due to government support and improved farming techniques.
Agriculture Revival Under BJP Government
The Minister underscored the government’s efforts to revive and modernize agriculture since the BJP came to power. A series of farmer-centric interventions—including subsidies, training, irrigation support, and improved seed distribution—has been rolled out to strengthen the state’s agri-based economy.
“We want employment in every home,” Nath said. “Earlier, there were no structured steps to cultivate onions. But our agriculture scientists have proved that Tripura can grow high-quality onions. We have also started cultivating Apical Rooted Cutting potatoes, which are in heavy demand among farmers.”
Orange Festival 2025 and Year-Round Floriculture Boost
This year’s Orange Festival, held in Badharghat, marks a renewed celebration of Tripura’s citrus cultivation potential. The festival was previously held twice in Killa in the Gomati district.
Nath highlighted the transformation of a former forest patch into a thriving flower garden that now produces flowers round the year. “Our aim is to help farmers. More than 100 orange farmers have joined this festival to explore new opportunities, technology, and government support,” he added.
Steady Rise in Cultivation Area and Production
The Minister presented updated figures showing significant growth in orange cultivation across the state:
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Total area under orange cultivation: 3,846 hectares
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Annual orange production: 16,538 metric tonnes
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Average yield: 4,300 kg per hectare
Between 2018–19 and 2025–26, the government has brought 353 hectares of new land under orange cultivation using various state-supported and central-backed horticulture projects.
Of this, 80 hectares were added in the current year alone.
Additionally, 228 hectares of old orchards have been revived between 2018–19 and 2025–26 at a cost of Rs 2,000 per hectare, including 31 hectares rejuvenated this year.
A Vision for Future Rural Prosperity
The Tripura government aims to integrate horticulture expansion with employment generation, value-chain development, and market-linked farming. By promoting oranges, onions, floriculture, and innovative crops like Apical Rooted Cutting potatoes, the state hopes to enhance agricultural diversity while creating income opportunities for thousands of rural families.
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Officials believe that the new initiatives, when combined with scientific guidance and farmer participation, will significantly strengthen the horticulture sector and position Tripura as a leading citrus-producing region in Northeast India.
