By TC News Desk
Agartala, 27th November 2024: Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday emphasized the vast potential of horticulture in boosting income generation for unemployed youth across the state by adopting new technologies.
The remarks were made during a one-day orchid training cum planting material distribution programme organized by the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong in Sikkim, in collaboration with the Directorate of Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Tripura, and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region-Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala.
Addressing the inaugural session, Minister Nath asserted, “There is no question of remaining unemployed as there is ample opportunity for employment. The government’s motto is ‘Atmanirbhar Tripura’, ‘Swayambar Tripura’ and ‘Doubling farmer’s income’. A farmer’s income was Rs 6,580 before 2018, which increased to Rs 13,590 in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The per capita income was Rs 1,00,444 before 2018 and now, it is Rs 1,59,419.”
Nath encouraged the youth to be self-reliant, stating, “If anyone still wants to remain unemployed, then there is no one as lazy as him. New technologies like ‘Mulching’ and ‘Tissue Culture’ are being adopted to boost production.”
The minister announced that 300 farmers would receive 40 orchid saplings each through the programme, with an expenditure of Rs 35 lakh for 12,000 saplings. “Tripura has a mixed environment suitable for extensive orchid cultivation. Currently, many youths in Tripura are cultivating flowers for income generation,” he added.
Highlighting the development of horticulture, Nath shared, “Marigold cultivation increased from 70 hectares in 2017-18 to 208 hectares now. Tuberose (Rajnigandha) cultivation rose from 27 hectares to 47 hectares, and rose cultivation expanded from 2 hectares to 18 hectares. Flower clusters are present in Bishalgarh, Matabari, Kakraban, Dukli, and Bamutia. Anthurium is cultivated at 126 locations, orchid at 130 locations, and gerbera at 47 locations in Tripura.”
Nath also noted the state’s dependency on external sources for certain flowers, stating, “35 percent of marigold, 90 percent of rose, 55 percent of anthurium, 75 percent of orchid, and 35 percent of gerbera are procured from outside the state.”
ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids Director Dr. SP Das, in his welcome speech, mentioned, “There are 1,257 species of orchids in India, and NRC for Orchids has recently released 25 species. Orchids are also utilized for medicinal purposes through genetic stock.”
Director of Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Dr. PB Jamatia, Central Potato Research Centre’s ex-Director Dr. Girpal Singh, Orchidologist Padmashri Dr. Nageshwar Rao, MLA Jitendra Majumder and Principal Scientist of ICAR Dr. Biswajit Das was also present. Five farmers were officially handed orchid saplings by the minister and other dignitaries present on the dais.
