The transforming Tripura initiative received a significant boost after Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the works of a Tripura Youth in his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme on Sunday.
Speaking in the radio programme, the Prime Minister said, “Bikramjit Chakma of 32 years of age is my young friend from Unakoti, Tripura. He has not only earned a lot of profit by starting the Ber cultivation. Now he is also motivating people to do Ber cultivation. The State Government has also come forward to help such people. Many special nurseries have been started by the government for this purpose so that the demand of the people associated with the cultivation of Ber can be met. Innovation is happening in agriculture, so creativity is also being witnessed in the by-products of agriculture”.
Soon after the programme was over, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb wrote a post in his facebook handle. He wrote, “Thankful to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji for highlighting the commendable work being done by Bikramjit Chakma from #Unakoti for promoting Ber cultivation in the state. #MannKiBaat”.
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice Pratima Bhowmik also tweeted and quoted the Prime Minister, “Friends, in our tribal communities, Ber fruit has always been very popular. The members of the tribal community have always been cultivating Ber. But its cultivation is increasing especially after the COVID-19 pandemic: PM Shri @narendramodiji
The Tripura Government has made planned initiative to explore marketing facilities for state grown horticultural items.
Already, exports of pineapple, scented lemon and jackfruit have started while few other products are in the pipeline. Buoyed at the success in Horti product cultivation, increasing number of youths of the State are coming forward and have started cultivation of Apple Ber, dragon fruit etc and are marching forward to attain self reliance.
