Preparatory Meeting Held for “Unity Promo Fest – 2025” in Agartala
State Expands Orange Cultivation Efforts: Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath
Nov 27, 2025The Tripura government is giving special importance to four key sectors—agriculture, tourism, forestry and solar energy—to build a self-reliant and economically strong state, said Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday. He was addressing the inauguration of the two-day State-Level Orange Festival and the Center for Floriculture and Landscape at the Progeny Orchard in Badharghat.
The minister said that Tripura once hosted an orange festival in the Jampui Hills, but the tradition stopped after production declined. With orange cultivation increasing again, the festival has been revived.
Nath highlighted the growth in the sector: Before 2017, orange cultivation covered 3,846 hectares, producing 16,538 metric tonnes. As of last year, the area increased to 5,620 hectares, with production rising to 25,328 metric tonnes. Per-hectare yield has increased to 4,500 kg. Currently, oranges are being grown in areas such as Baramura, Atharamura and Shakhan Hills. To revive orange farming in the Jampui Hills, the government is distributing high-quality saplings. In addition, 228 hectares of old orchards are being rejuvenated, with farmers receiving ₹20,000 per hectare as financial support.
The minister mentioned that Tripura produces several popular fruits—including queen pineapples, gandharaj lemons, oranges, jackfruit and litchi—which are now in high demand across India and abroad. He credited the farmers for this success.
Nath said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged agricultural scientists to work directly with farmers in the fields instead of restricting themselves to laboratories. This approach is now being implemented in the state. He reaffirmed that the government is committed to supporting orange growers and implementing various schemes for farmers’ welfare.
The event was attended by MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy, Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Deepak Das, Director of Agriculture Phanibhushan Jamatia and representatives of orange growers.
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