Tripura Agricultural College through the coordinated efforts of Indian Vegetable Research Institute, Varanasi and Krishi Vigyan Kendra Sepahijala district has taken a major initiative to popularize onion cultivation and increase farmer income in Sepahijala district. 

The favorable agricultural conditions of the state, which include mild tropical winter climate and average annual rainfall of 2000 mm, have shown promising results for onion cultivation despite its underutilization in the past.

Onion is cultivated in India in three seasons - Rabi, end-Kharif and Kharif. Rabi contributes about 50% of the national production, end-Kharif 30% and Kharif 20%. Selection of varieties based on season, photoperiod and temperature is very important for success. In Tripura, due to limited land per household, emphasis is being placed on expanding onion cultivation under vegetable-based cropping system

Farmers in Bishalgarh Agricultural Subdivision have started commercial onion cultivation after training in 2023-24 in collaboration with Indian Vegetable Research Institute, Varanasi through Tripura Agricultural College. For the end of Kharif, Bhima Super and for Rabi crop, Sukh Sagar, Bhima Shakti were distributed among the farmers. 

In Tripura's conditions, the productivity of these varieties is 28-30 tonnes per hectare. A total of 60 farmers cultivated onion in Bishalgarh in 2024-25.

Success stories are starting to emerge. Sanjib Debnath, a farmer from Laxmibil village of Bishalgarh too in Sepahijala district, has harvested 100 kg of onion by cultivating Sukh Sagar variety, earning Rs. 6,000 from selling tubers and Rs. 5,000 from green tender leaves in addition to income from other vegetables. Similarly, Ruby Bhowmik of Bishalgarh has produced 80 kg of Bhima Shakti and earned Rs. 18,000 from selling tubers at Rs. 30/kg, and Rs. 4,000 from selling leaves.

This year, the number of onion farmers has increased to 137 in Bishalgarh block area in 2025-26. Today, 24th September 2025, Vishal Agricultural Technology Management Agency BTT Convener Vishalgarh, Tripura Krishi Mahavidyalaya, jointly organized a one-day training workshop on onion cultivation in collaboration with Indian Vegetable Research Institute, Varanasi and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sepahijala district. 85 farmers were present, and MLA of Bishalgarh Shri Sushant Deb , Deputy Director of Horticulture Shri Pulak Gan , Superintendent of Agriculture and Horticulture Shri Himanis Kaskar, Assistant Professor from college Dr. Trideep Bhattacharya, Dr. Utpal Dey from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and Prabir Datta Sector Officer Bishalgarh, other persons were present. The Deputy Director of Horticulture presented the initiative in detail to the government. Along with discussing the extensive initiatives of onion cultivation, after providing training on onion cultivation using scientific techniques, 75 farmer brothers were given 100 grams of seeds each, variety: Sukhsagar.

10 people from Madhya Lakshibil village. They were given 5 kg of seeds for 6 kani of land. Variety: Bhima Dark Red. The aim of this initiative is to exchange agricultural knowledge, encourage sustainable farming and encourage income-generating practices like organic farming, natural farming. This training is expected to strengthen cooperation in increasing enthusiasm for onion cultivation and knowledge of modern farming methods, and contribute to improved productivity and innovation in agriculture.