Tripura advances toward agricultural self-sufficiency as Khowai and Dhalai districts near full paddy production. The state launches a major Rabi onion project to boost rural income, reduce imports, and strengthen sustainable farming through scientific cultivation and government-backed initiatives.
Tripura is moving steadily toward agricultural self-reliance, with the state government announcing that Khowai and Dhalai districts are poised to become fully self-sufficient in paddy production this season. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath shared the development while launching a Project-cum-Workshop on Rabi Onion, a major initiative aimed at transforming the rural economy through the introduction of high-yield onion cultivation.
The workshop, titled “Rabi Onion – A Promising Cash Crop for Economic Uplift and Livelihood Improvement of Rural Tripura,” was organized jointly by the College of Agriculture, Tripura, and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Tripura Regional Office. Senior officials, agriculture scientists, and representatives of key institutions participated in the event.
According to an official statement, the Minister emphasized that Tripura’s primary focus is to achieve self-sufficiency in essential agricultural products such as paddy, potato, vegetables, and onion. With three districts already self-sufficient in paddy cultivation, Khowai and Dhalai are now set to join the list this year.
“For the development of the state, 46 percent of our foundation comes from agriculture, while the rest is supported by tourism, trade, and other sectors,” Nath stated at the event. “Agriculture—comprising horticulture, fisheries, and ARDD—is our main backbone. Our government is working tirelessly to make Tripura self-reliant.”
The Minister highlighted the state’s progressive efforts in potato cultivation, which has shown marked improvement due to the adoption of advanced Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) methods. “Potato, tomato, and onion are three essential commodities. Potato is included in the main food list, which is why our state has taken significant steps to boost its production. Using ARC methods, our output has increased, and we are continuing to expand cultivation,” he said.
Onion Cultivation No Longer “Unthinkable” in Tripura
A major highlight of the program was the formal launch of Tripura’s Rabi onion initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between demand and supply and reduce the state’s heavy dependence on onion imports from other states.
According to the Minister, onion cultivation in Tripura was once considered nearly impossible due to climate limitations and lack of suitable technology. However, collaborative efforts by the Agriculture Department, the Tripura Agricultural College, and NABARD have demonstrated remarkable success.
“For four years, the Tripura Agricultural College has cultivated different varieties of onion in three seasons to identify the most suitable types and planting schedules for the region,” Nath said. “After successful trials from 2022 to 2024, NABARD has approved a dedicated project to develop Rabi onion cultivation technology for the benefit of farmers.”
The Agricultural College has tested 12 varieties of Rabi onions and successfully demonstrated their growth in experimental fields. Experts believe these trials have paved the way for large-scale production with proper methodological and strategic practices.
“It is expected that with scientific cultivation and appropriate agricultural strategies, the production of Rabi onions can increase significantly across Tripura,” Nath added. “This will not only reduce the demand-supply gap but also cut down the state’s dependency on onion imports.”
Support from Key Departments and Institutions
The launch event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including:
Dr. Fani Bhushan Jamatia, Director, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Deepak Das, Director, Horticulture and Soil Conservation
Anil Kotmire, General Manager, NABARD
Pradeep Baran Roy, Member, ICAR-IMC
Rajiv Debbarma, Mission Director, MODCDNER
Officials expressed confidence that the Rabi onion initiative and the push toward paddy self-sufficiency would generate employment, strengthen rural incomes, and support Tripura’s broader vision of agricultural independence.
| Also Read: Tripura Farmers gain legal rights over crop varieties: Minister Nath |
With the combined focus on paddy, potato, vegetables, and onion production, Tripura’s agricultural roadmap aims to empower farmers, stabilize market supplies, and build a resilient farm-based economy.
