BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 29th November 2025: Unakoti district witnessed a milestone today with the inauguration of the state’s first commercial Coffee Common Facility Centre (CFC) at Chailapi village under the Unakoti ADC area. The centre has been set up jointly by Growing Seed and SIDBI’s Agartala branch at Gournagar RD Block.
The inauguration was formally conducted by Social Education and Social Welfare minister Tinku Roy, who symbolically watered a sapling to mark the launch. Organizers said the facility aims to support small and marginal coffee growers in production, processing, and marketing, thereby strengthening Tripura’s emerging coffee industry.
The event was attended by SIDBI Agartala Branch Manager and OIC Raj Shekhar Hansda, Gournagar BDO Nabarun Chakraborty, and Coffee Board Senior Liaison Officer Sandip Das as special guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Roy highlighted the vast potential of coffee cultivation in Tripura. “Many believe coffee is only for the affluent. In reality, coffee is more popular globally than tea. While tea is cultivated in 60–70 countries, coffee is produced in over 100 nations. Its global market is enormous, ranging from ₹200 to ₹2.5 lakh per kilogram. Even capturing a small share of this market could open significant economic opportunities for our state,” he said.
Roy stressed the need for a commercial mindset among farmers, noting that while the government continues to provide financial assistance, self-reliance requires entrepreneurial thinking. Drawing a parallel with Tripura’s success in rubber cultivation, he said, “Because of a commercial approach, our state now produces nearly one lakh metric tonnes of rubber annually, valued at around ₹1,300 crore. Similar attitudes in coffee farming could yield substantial growth in both production and income.”
Calling the CFC a “collective development model,” Roy urged farmers to utilize the facility for processing their harvests. “Just as the Amul model revolutionized dairy, we can advance coffee cultivation through collective efforts. By moving away from dependency and embracing commercial thinking, farmers can achieve higher returns with minimal investment. The government will continue to stand by coffee growers,” he assured.
Organizers and officials expressed hope that the newly inaugurated centre would provide fresh momentum to Tripura’s coffee sector and pave the way for sustainable growth.
