In a bid to boost farmers’ income and ensure fair prices for their produce, the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, with support from the central government, has initiated the process of converting 21 agricultural markets in Tripura into E-Markets under the Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) scheme.

Announcing the initiative on Thursday, Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the state government has prioritized strengthening the market infrastructure to help farmers sell their produce across the country.

The minister inaugurated a newly constructed market at Kulai and a Village Knowledge Centre at Noagaon in Dhalai district today.

“Tripura has 554 agricultural markets and 84 wholesale markets, including primary wholesale hubs. Out of these, 21 are Agri-Produce Markets. Our government believes that agricultural production alone is not enough — markets must also be developed so that farm produce can be marketed like industrial products,” Nath said.

He highlighted that while the previous government had spent only ₹20.20 crore on market development in seven years, the present government has invested ₹303 crore during its seven-year tenure. “This proves how our government is working for the welfare of farmers,” he added.

As part of the first phase, seven markets — Panisagar, Pabiachara, Kulai Bazar, Teliamura, Mohanpur, Sonamura, and Santirbazar — will be integrated into the e-NAM platform. In the next phase, 12 more markets including Dasda, Bachaibari, Kalyanpur, Champaknagar, Bishalgarh, Jampuijala, Melaghar, Barpathari, Natun Bazar, Ganda Twisa, and Chawmanu will be added.

Each market under this project will be equipped with an office, auction platform, drinking water facilities, stalls, laboratory, grading and sorting system, weighing system, and warehouse. For the initial seven markets, the central government has already sanctioned ₹2.10 crore.

Explaining the benefits of the system, Nath said farmers will be able to upload photos and details of their produce online and connect with buyers across the country. “The aim is to double farmers’ income and ensure they receive the right value for their hard work. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and we are committed to its growth,” the minister stressed.