Tripura is focusing on development of coconut cultivation in the State and planning to set up a regional coconut nursery under the initiative of the state’s Horticulture and Land Conservation department.
As part of Government’s initiatives for development of coconut cultivation, the first-ever North-Eastern Coconut Farmers’ meet was held in the state on Friday (March 17). Over 700 farmers took part in the event.
The Coconut Development Board organized the meeting which was inaugurated by State Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Ratan Lal Nath at Rabindra Bhawan in Agartala today. Among others, MLA Mailafru Mog, Chief Coconut Development Officer of the Board Dr Hanumante Goda, Regional Director of the Board Dr Rajat Pal and officials of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments were also present in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister encouraged farmers to take up coconut farming and emphasized the potential for large-scale commercialization of coconut products. The Coconut Development Board’s existing nursery, occupying 22 hectares of land at Hirachhara under South Tripura, aims to produce around 1,20,000 coconut seedlings this year. The meeting primarily focused on highlighting the significance of coconut farming and the potential for widespread commercialization in Tripura, which could help double the farmers’ income.
In his speech, Ratan Lal Nath elaborately highlighted performances of the Agriculture and Horticulture sector of the State. In this connection he mentioned that State exported several horti products including Tamarind, betel leaf, ginger, pineapple and jackfruit etc to other States and countries during the last 5 years. The State earned Rs 18 crore by exporting the products.
Nath also talked in details about implementation of Government schemes like Kisan Credit Cards, Kisan Samman Nidhi etc and measures taken by the government for betterment of the farming communities in the State.
Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Apurba Roy said the State Government has decided to expand the areas under coconut cultivation. He said, total 4700 hectors land is under coconut cultivation, at present. A target has been set to bring 500 more hectors land under coconut cultivation in the next 5 years.
