Agartala: Feb 07: The organically produced Kalikhsa, Harinarayan, and black rice in Tripura have been marketed, with a total value of Rs 3 lakh 30 thousand. This initiative is expected to greatly benefit the state’s farmers, according to Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who spoke at the marketing event today.
Minister Nath mentioned that National Co-operative Organics Limited, New Delhi has come forward to provide all possible cooperation. Last month, an agreement was signed between this organization and the State Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Today, for the first time, the crops produced by the state’s farmers using traditional methods have been introduced to the market through this collaboration. Minister Nath expressed confidence that the farmers will see significant benefits from this initiative.
He also highlighted the “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region” project, launched by the Central Government’s Donor Ministry in 2015-16, which has been implemented in Tripura since the financial year 2016-17. This project aims to tap into the huge potential of organic farming in the North Eastern Region.
This year, the expansion of organic farming is being carried out on an additional 6,500 hectares, with efforts to form 13 more new Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). Five service providers, namely Iqua, Sheel Biotech, Simfed, Biosert International, and Prakriti Organic, have been appointed to assist farmers in organic farming.
Currently, crops like aromatic rice, pineapple, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, chili, millet, black rice, and more are being cultivated using organic methods. So far, 37 metric tons of aromatic rice, 13 metric tons of ginger, 31 metric tons of turmeric, 362 metric tons of pineapple, and 2,000 kg of Bird’s Eye Chili have been sold within and outside the state through organic farming.
Minister Nath also mentioned that on January 17, 2,000 kg of Dhanna Marich produced by farmers from Gomati, South, and Dhalai districts was marketed through Sus Agri Development Private Company, valued at Rs 11 lakh. Today, 1,000 kg of Kalikhsa rice from Gomati district, 1,000 kg of Harinarayan from Khwai district, and 1,000 kg of black rice from South district have been marketed, worth Rs 3 lakh 30 thousand.
Minister Nath concluded by stating that the focus is on further improving the quality of service and supporting the state’s farmers through such initiatives.
