By TC News Desk
Agartala, 13th June 2025 : Vegetable cultivation is one of the most preferred agricultural practices in Tripura for higher income. The agro-climate of Tripura is suitable for cultivation of all types of winter and summer vegetables crops. However, it was observed that farmers were facing problems due to lack of proper knowledge of soil moisture conservation technology under the changing climatic scenario.
To increase the productivity efficiency of high yielding varieties of vegetables, polyethylene mulching technology was popularized by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre in a village Satdubia, Mohanpur Block, West Tripura since 2021-2022.
Initially five farmers were selected by Dr. Biswajit Das, Principal Scientist of ICAR RC NEH Region, Tripura Centre to demonstrate the technology in the cropping sequence of Ridge gourd + Cucumber + Chilli in summer season, followed by winter season cultivation of Bottlegourd + Tomato + cabbage+ Chilli. Proper training was given to the farmers for use of this technology andseeds of high yielding vegetable varieties and black polyethylene sheets of 30 micron were also provided.
After adopting the mulching technology water saving was around 25-30% and weed management was 75-80%. Plant growth was better with 30-40% higher yield. Labour cost was reduced by 30%. Farmers earned around 2.0-2.5 lakhs per annum from 0.32 ha (2 kani) to 0.4 ha (2.5 kani) area. This has motivated all the farmers in this village and 90% farmers of the village have adopted this resource conservation technology.
Few farmers have also adopted the multistory system of vegetable cultivation with crops Bottle gourds and coriander/leafy amaranthus which has increased the cropping intensity more than 200%. In 6th June 2023, a field day was also organized in that village in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Tripura which was graced by the Minister, Agriculture and farmer’s Welfare, Ratan Lal Nath.
The Minster appreciated the efforts of the Scientists of ICAR Tripura Centre and advised the farmers to adopt such resource conservation technology in vegetable cultivation.
Progressive farmers Rakesh Debnath, Bikash Debnath, Ranjit Das, Prasenjit Ghosh, Sunil Debnath, Jayanta Debnath, Dhirendra Debnath and Ranjit Sarkar are motivating all other farmers in nearby villages to adopt this technology.
Rakesh Debanth is earning around 2.5 Lakhs per annum from 2.0 kani of land out of which 1.5 kani has been taken as lease by him for vegetable cultivation.
The farmers of this village appreciate the technological guidance provided by Dr. Biswajit Das, Principal Scientist, Dr. Bapi Das, Scientist and Dr. B. U. Chaudhury, Head of the Centre.
