Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) will host the first-ever Food Saras Fair in Agartala this February, featuring over 120 stalls by women SHG members to promote food entrepreneurship, local cuisine, and women-led livelihoods across Tripura.
For the first time in Tripura, the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) is set to organise a dedicated Food Saras Fair in Agartala this February, marking a significant step toward strengthening women-led food entrepreneurship and rural livelihoods in the state. The event aims to showcase the culinary skills, innovation, and business potential of women Self Help Group (SHG) members from across Tripura.
The announcement was made by TRLM Chief Executive Officer Tarit Kanti Chakma, IAS, who said the decision to host an exclusive food-focused fair was driven by the remarkable success of food stalls during the recently concluded 20th Saras Mela. According to official data, the Saras Mela recorded total sales of Rs 17.67 crore, with food-related stalls accounting for a substantial share of the revenue.
“Food enterprises emerged as one of the strongest performers during the Saras Mela. We witnessed not only high sales but also the launch of new food products by our SHG didis. This success clearly indicated the need for a separate platform exclusively dedicated to food-based livelihoods,” Chakma said.
Named Saras Food Fair 1.0, the upcoming event will feature between 110 and 125 stalls, all managed by SHG women associated with TRLM. The fair will offer a diverse range of traditional Tripuri cuisines, ethnic delicacies, homemade snacks, processed food products, sweets, beverages, and innovative fusion items developed by the women entrepreneurs.
Officials stated that the fair is designed to achieve multiple objectives, including promoting local food culture, enhancing income opportunities for rural women, providing direct market access, and encouraging entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. By eliminating intermediaries, the Food Saras Fair will allow SHG members to interact directly with consumers, receive feedback, and build long-term customer networks.
On Saturday, a joint site inspection was conducted at Vivekananda Maidan, which has been selected as the venue for the fair. The visit was chaired by the TRLM CEO and attended by engineers from the Rural Development Department to assess infrastructure readiness, space allocation, sanitation, electricity, and crowd management arrangements.
The Food Saras Fair is expected to attract large footfall from Agartala and nearby areas, including food enthusiasts, families, tourists, and policymakers. Apart from boosting sales, the event will serve as a learning platform where SHG members can exchange ideas, improve branding, and explore opportunities for scaling up their enterprises.
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TRLM officials believe the fair will play a crucial role in empowering women economically while reinforcing Tripura’s commitment to inclusive development and sustainable livelihoods. The initiative also aligns with national goals of promoting women entrepreneurship, local produce, and self-reliant rural economies.
With growing demand for authentic, locally made food products, the Food Saras Fair is expected to become a landmark annual event, positioning Tripura as a rising hub for women-led food enterprises in the Northeast.
