In a significant step toward enhancing agricultural productivity and achieving self-sufficiency in food-grain production, the Tripura Agriculture Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Bureau of Soil Survey (NBSS), Nagpur.

The collaboration aims to conduct in-depth research on cultivable lands across three districts of the state, paving the way for sustainable farming practices and a stronger agricultural future for Tripura.

This was said by Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath today after inaugurating a workshop on Land Resource Inventory of Tripura using Geo-Spatial Techniques at Pragya Bhawan.

The Minister said that we speak about self-reliance in agriculture, and for that, research on land is required.

“Land is the main factor in agriculture; then come seeds, water level, and scientific cultivation. We started working three years ago to check the condition of layers of land. The Agriculture Department team has made a plan to become self-reliant in agriculture. That is why we first selected South and Gomati to conduct a survey. Soil scientists of NBSS from Nagpur carried out the survey and submitted the report. Then we signed a MoU for three districts which are North, Dhalai, and Unakoti. Today they have presented the report, and the remaining three districts, including West, Sepahijala, and Khowai, are left,” he said.

The Minister said that nobody had thought of such things before.

“I have been in politics for over 30 years. Earlier, food ministers or agriculture ministers said that Tripura needed to be self-sufficient in foodgrain, but they could not specify the plan. Soil scientists can tell us what soil we have and where we can cultivate palm oil, rubber, millet, paddy, etc. In Nagicherra, some palm oil trees were cultivated, but nothing significant happened. After the MoU, we will make a plan with the soil scientists that will benefit the farmers so that they can cultivate according to their plan. Today, a discussion on this matter was held with the SA and Directors and other officials. In the coming days, we aim for 100% success. Before our government, 22 blocks were self-sufficient in foodgrain cultivation, and after our government came, 30 blocks became self-sufficient, with 5 more blocks expected this year. In the coming days, more agricultural products will be GI-tagged,” the Minister informed.

Agriculture Department Secretary Apurba Roy, Agriculture Department Director Fani Bhushan Jamatia, State Nodal Officer of the Agriculture Department Dr. Uttam Saha and others were present.