Training on Sustainable Arecanut Cultivation Held in North Tripura
Agartala Oct 29: A one-day training programme on “Agro-techniques for Sustainable Arecanut Cultivation” was successfully organized on October 27, 2025, at the Town Hall, Kanchanpur, in North Tripura. The event aimed at enhancing the technical knowledge of local arecanut growers and promoting sustainable farming practices in the region.
The programme was jointly organized by the ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala, and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) North Tripura, Panisagar. More than 160 farmers from different parts of the district participated in the training.
The inaugural session began with a formal welcome by Dr. Somendra Kumar, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK North Tripura, Panisagar. In his address, Dr. Kumar highlighted KVK’s continuous efforts to improve farmers’ income through science-led agricultural interventions and hands-on capacity building.
Kabir Debbarma, Superintendent of Agriculture, Kanchanpur Agri Subdivision, attended the event as Chief Guest. He underscored the growing economic significance of arecanut cultivation in North Tripura and called for adopting sustainable and climate-resilient farming methods to overcome local agro-climatic challenges.
Niranjan Dasgupta, Assistant Director, DDH Office, North Tripura, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour and assured the participants of the department’s continued technical and institutional support for similar capacity-building initiatives.
During the technical sessions, scientists from ICAR-CPCRI shared research-based insights covering various aspects of arecanut cultivation.
Dr. M.K. Rajesh, Principal Scientist & Head, ICAR-CPCRI Regional Station, Vittal (Karnataka), explained the advantages of high-yielding arecanut varieties, techniques for producing quality planting materials, and prospects of value addition to enhance profitability.
Dr. Neenu S., Senior Scientist, ICAR-CPCRI Regional Station, Kayamkulam (Kerala), focused on maintaining soil fertility through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and emphasized balanced fertilizer application combined with the use of organic and bio-fertilizers.
Dr. Mahendran B., Scientist, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod (Kerala), presented effective Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) strategies for controlling major pests and diseases affecting arecanut crops.
An interactive session followed, during which participating farmers raised practical concerns related to crown rot, nutrient deficiencies, and pest infestations. The experts provided region-specific and cost-effective solutions to address these issues.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sajal Debbarma, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), KVK North Tripura, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, scientists, and participants for making the event a success.
After the training, the expert team from ICAR-CPCRI visited several arecanut plantations in the Jampui Hills area to assess field conditions and interact directly with progressive farmers.
