Tripura eyes economic growth through orchid farming

Agartala: The Tripura government doesn’t like to remain behind in the lucrative horticulture sector. After seeing the success of neighboring states, the government has unveiled a special programme to encourage orchid farming with an aim to make Tripura’s horticulture sector potent. The initiative, led by the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids (NRCO), Sikkim. They have already trained 3,000 farmers across the state regarding the modern techniques in horticulture farming.

In fact, 12,000 premium Dendrobium orchid plants and coco blocks worth Rs35 lakh have been distributed to horticulture farmers so that they can plant them in their respective fields. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath emphasized that orchids, once abandoned in Tripura’s forests, are now recognized as valuable flora with export potential.

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Nearby states Mizoram and Meghalaya have made leaps and bounds of progress and are currently exporting orchids to several European nations, benefitting local people. Seeing the success rate, the Tripura government has decided to adopt the same policy and try to promote horticulture in the state, especially in the hilly areas, to boost the farmers’ income.

ICAR experts believe that Tripura’s climate is perfect for orchid farming. They are providing adequate training to farmers with skills in tropical orchid farming. Dr. S.P. Das, Director of ICAR-NRCO, highlighted that orchids can play a major role in boosting farmers’ incomes in both domestic and international markets.

The aim of the programme is not only to expand the farming practices in the state but also to make it a horticulture hub for tropical orchids in the coming years, strengthening the state’s economy along with increasing farmers’ income.