Agartala, June 3: The Tripura government has decided to promote grape farming on a large scale. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Wednesday that 18 new varieties of grapes will be tested in the state. Farmers will receive training and technical support for scientific farming methods.
During a commercial grape farming awareness program held in Chandipur, Unakoti district, the minister stated that the state government will accelerate research activities and develop farming techniques suited to local conditions.
At the event, the minister visited an orchard where sweet grapes have been successfully cultivated for the first time in the northeastern state. He also distributed electric-powered agricultural tools to promote modern farming among the farmers.
In a conversation with the media, Ratan Lal Nath mentioned that the average grape productivity in India is about 24 metric tons per hectare. He expressed confidence that with scientific intervention and farmer collaboration, Tripura could become a significant center for grape production.
He noted that state scientists have been researching grape farming for several years. Following this research, four varieties have been successfully cultivated, including two wine grape varieties.
The minister assured that farmers would receive all possible support for grape production, including specialized training in scientific and sustainable farming practices.
He revealed that after nearly two decades, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Unakoti resumed research and development work on grape farming in 2024. The initial results have shown promising success in terms of sweetness, yield, and fruit quality.
Ratan Lal Nath stated that six grape varieties were brought to Tripura from the ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes in September 2024 and were planted on an experimental basis.
He explained that a team of scientists is working to develop grape production techniques that align with the state’s climate and agricultural conditions to identify varieties that can yield better results in Tripura.
The minister acknowledged that there are several challenges to large-scale grape farming in the state. These include insufficient sweetness in the fruit, excessive rainfall, high humidity, unavailability of certain essential agricultural chemicals, and a lack of technical knowledge among farmers.
To address these challenges, scientists have adopted special treatment and management techniques. Efforts are being made to enhance grape sweetness and quality through better nutrient management and the use of growth regulators, which have shown positive results.
Discussing future plans, the minister mentioned that policy suggestions will be prepared based on ongoing research. Additionally, 18 more grape varieties will be tested to select the most suitable ones for the state.
The plan includes comprehensive farmer training programs, developing grape production clusters, establishing orchards in suitable areas, and providing farmers with agricultural materials and technical assistance.
Furthermore, training will be provided for producing grape juice and ready-to-serve (RTS) beverages, as well as post-harvest management techniques. The establishment of cluster-based small grape juice processing units will also be pursued to enhance farmers’ income.
The event was attended by Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Tinku Roy, senior officials from the Horticulture Directorate, scientists, agricultural experts, and a large number of farmers.
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