Tripura’s Agriculture Department sets a 25,200-hectare target for hybrid rice in 2025–26 Kharif season. With SRI method and government support, the state aims to boost productivity, bridge rice shortfall, and increase farmer income. Minister Ratan Lal Nath highlights agricultural self-sufficiency and India’s global food grain export vision.
In a strategic push towards food self-sufficiency and enhanced rice productivity, the Tripura Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has set an ambitious target of cultivating hybrid rice in 25,200 hectares during the 2025–26 Kharif season. This initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to close the gap between rice demand and production while uplifting farmers’ incomes.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced this during a public interaction at the Simna Assembly Constituency, where he symbolically planted paddy to encourage the farming community and inspire the younger generation to embrace agriculture as a viable career path.
Hybrid Rice Cultivation: A Strategic Necessity
Minister Nath elaborated on the growing importance of hybrid rice in Tripura’s agrarian landscape. In the 2024–25 cycle, hybrid rice was cultivated over 35,000 hectares—8,630 hectares during the Kharif season and 26,370 hectares during the Rabi season. With a growing population and increasing food demand, the shift towards hybrid rice has become a critical component of the state’s agricultural policy.
Tripura currently cultivates paddy across 15 lakh kani of land, with Aman paddy covering 9.01 lakh kani, Boro paddy at 3.94 lakh kani, and jhum cultivation in 85,000 kani annually. The Minister noted that around 30 lakh kani of land is under horticulture, showcasing the state’s agrarian diversity.
Current Food Production and Demand Gap
Highlighting the food production challenges, Nath said that in 2017–18, Tripura’s rice demand was 8.26 lakh metric tonnes (MT) with a population of 39.75 lakh, while actual production was 7.70 lakh MT, resulting in a shortfall of 56,000 MT. In 2024–25, even though production increased to 8.30 lakh MT, the demand has risen to 8.77 lakh MT due to a population increase to 42.22 lakh, creating a shortfall of 47,000 MT.
SRI Method and Government Support
To bridge this gap, the government is encouraging hybrid rice cultivation through the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). “By using the SRI method, it’s possible to increase rice yield by up to 80 kilograms per kani,” the Minister stated. This method requires transplanting 20-day-old seedlings, a technique that significantly boosts productivity.
The government is also offering financial incentives, fertilizer support, and agricultural inputs to farmers who adopt hybrid rice practices. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing income levels, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable farming practices across the state.
Vision for the Future
Minister Nath reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global hub for food grain storage and export. “Agriculture is the foundation of India. No country can export rice like India. We have the resources and the talent. Through proper planning and execution, our farmers can earn lakhs through agriculture, fisheries, and related sectors,” he said.
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In an effort to create awareness, Nath has personally taken up symbolic acts like paddy planting to connect with farmers. He emphasized that 30 out of 58 blocks, especially in districts like South Tripura, Gomati, and Sepahijala, are already self-sufficient in food production.
With this robust roadmap, the Tripura government aims not only to meet its food demand internally but also to contribute to India’s goal of agricultural leadership on the global stage.
