Agartala, May 29: Tripura is entering a new era of agricultural innovation by partnering with global leaders in agri-tech, including Israel and the Netherlands, to boost farm productivity and sustainability. The state government is setting up four Centres of Excellence in collaboration with these nations, aimed at modernising farming techniques across different crop sectors.
Speaking to the media, Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath said, “We are working closely with countries that have made remarkable strides in agriculture. These collaborations will help us transfer cutting-edge technology to our farmers.”
One of the key innovations being introduced is hydroponic farming, a soil-less cultivation technique pioneered by Israel. A pilot project is already underway at the Agriculture Research Station in Nagicherra, near Agartala. Another centre using Israeli technology is being developed at Bir Chandra Manu, focused on vegetable cultivation.
In partnership with the Netherlands, a dedicated centre for citrus fruit cultivation is also in the pipeline. This Indo-Dutch initiative will help local farmers adopt high-yield, climate-resilient techniques tailored to regional conditions.
These Centres of Excellence will serve as both research and training hubs, equipping agricultural scientists and field workers with advanced knowledge to support farmers at the grassroots level.
Minister Nath also emphasized the need for optimal land use across Tripura. Speaking at the launch of an oil palm plantation drive in Charilam Brajapur, he urged landowners not to leave cultivable land unused. Tripura has 65.35 lakh Kanis of land, of which 30.18 lakh Kanis are currently used for agriculture. Paddy alone is cultivated on about 15 lakh Kanis.
Highlighting government support, Nath noted that for the first time in Tripura’s history, Rs 103 crore in flood compensation had been directly credited to the accounts of farmers affected by last year’s floods.
