Tripura - Efresh India

Tripura
All over India the Gomukh is an auspicious emblem. Ancient drinking fountains and clear springs
are often directed to flow through spouts fashioned in the form of a cow's head. Tripura is the
gomukh of the north-east. It thrusts out into Bangladesh with only its neck attached to Mizoram
and Assam.
Tripura is one of the seven states in the north eastern part of India located between 22 degree and
56 minutes and 24 degree and 32 minutes north latitude and between 90 degree and 09 minutes
and 92 degree and 20 minutes east latitude. It is bounded on the north, west, south and south-east
by Bangladesh whereas in the east it has a common boundary with Assam and Mizoram.
Tripura became a Union Territory without legislature with effect from November 1, 1956 and a
popular ministry was installed in Tripura on July 1, 1963. On January 21, 1972 Tripura attained
statehood.
Tripura is a hilly and landlocked state endowed with vast green forests and established gas
reserves. The state has a total area of 10492 sq. km. The state has a long border with Bangladesh
of 856 km. After Kerala , Tripura is the largest producer of natural rubber and the rubber produced
is of superior quality . The state also has the distinction of being the highest producer of True
Potato Seeds in the country.
As in the other states of the north east , Tripura’s economy is primarily agrarian and agriculture
and its allied activities contributes nearly 34 % to the state’s Net Domestic Product . Agriculture in
Tripura includes traditional Jhum (shifting) cultivation.

Capital: Agartala
Population: 3,199,203
Agricultural Products:
and Rubber
Rice, Sugarcane, Jute, Mesta, Potatoes, Tea
Strategically situated between the river valleys of Myanmar and Bangladesh, Tripura has
cultivable area of 2.8 lakh hectares of which about a third or 95,000 hectares is cultivated with 80
% irrigation. It is endowed with abundant resources and the economy is essentially agrarian.
It has all ideal conditions for promotion of a range of food and non food crops including
horticulture in sub tropical clime.
The farming community has taken to cultivation of field crops (paddy, maize, wheat, pulses,
oilseeds jute and mesta), horticulture (mainly fruits and vegetables) and floriculture as also animal
husbandry and pisciculture.
Over half the population depends on agriculture and related activities for livelihood making farm
the largest provider of employment and incomes. Farming is generally in fragmented landholding.
The State's horticulture sector comprises fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops, medicinal and
aromatic plants and so on.
Fruits like pineapple, mandarin, banana, litchi, lemon as well as plantation crops such as coconut
and cashew are popular. The strong production base creates opportune conditions for investment in
setting up processing units.
Tripura cropping pattern is typical of a hilly region. Shifting cultivation in hill regions and settled
farming in the plains.
Weather conditions encourage crop diversification and cultivation of seasonal fruits and
vegetables. Arecanut, oil palm, tea, coffee and rubber hold potential for cultivation. Among spices,
chilli and ginger are grown. A sunrise industry, floriculture is spreading rapidly following demand
for commercially grown flowers like gladioli, marigold and tuberose as also exotic flower
anthurium grown under controlled condition.
The State Government has placed emphasis on dairy development – milk production and
marketing Fisheries are a vital sector as over 90 per cent of the population eats fish. Fresh water
aquaculture has made progress even as the State government seeks to promote scientific
techniques of fish production. Growing market demand for prawn has resulted in greater attention
to that segment.

It may surprise many that after Kerala, Tripura is the second largest producer of 70,000 hectares,
there is scope to reach 1,00,000 hectares of rubber plantation, it is estimated. Tea is also emerging
as an important plantation crop. Organic tea or bio potential.
Tripura holds great promise for investment in agriculture and allied activities. A large production
base assures steady supplies of raw material. Investment in processing facilities is sure to bring in
good returns.
Area, Production & Average yield per hector of important crops:
Year
Rice Maize Wheat Gram
A P Y A P Y A P Y A P Y
2001-02 246744 587377 2380 2080 2080 1000 1220 2280 1869 399 255 640
2002-03 255270 602370 2375 2305 2200 957 929 1827 1988 323 215 665
2003-04 257450 616830 2396 2240 2150 960 895 1810 2022 344 237 689
2004-05 256078 571659 2232 2790 2967 1063 944 1924 2038 266 187 703
2005-06 256078 606780 2370 2150 2113 983 2610 5259 2015 939 616 656
2006-07 250980 620500 2472 2450 2420 988 984 1827 1857 N.A. N.A. N.A.
(Area in hect., production in tones/bales and yield in kg. per hector, Source: Statistical Abstract of
Tripura 2007)
Year-wise Area and Production of Fruits and Nuts in Tripura:
Year Litchi Mango Pineapple Guava Orange Jackfruit
1995-
96
1996-
97
1997-
98
1998-
99
1999-
00
2000-
01
2001-
02
2002-
03
2003-
04
2004-
05
A P A P A P A P A P A P
3495 2201 5036 41270 3989 35290 - - 4723 23100 8300 219190
4040 2549 5036 41270 4094 36230 - - 5074 24810 8372 221100
4673 2662 5022 23100 4297 36460 - - 5267 25240 8429 221450
4673 2662 5030 23145 4297 36460 - - 5267 25240 8429 22450
4800 2880 5000 22.300 4697 42.273 - - 5427 29.850 8929 250.021
1478 8869 3075 4500 3450 82159 - - 2017 15683 - -
1628 8900 3150 8500 3500 82159 305 579 2107 15800 9000 250000
1738 8950 3175 4600 3705 82600 298 1220 2314 16010 9020 255000
2167 12528 3460 6121 4140 93500 340 1408 2436 16988 9032 270340
2212 12449 3623 9360 4980 105086 353 1490 2698 17044 9032 254945

2005- 2346 14255 3868 12340 5180 106406 356 1560 2811 18150 8645 256280
06
2006- 2476 14400 3700 11358 6184 115829 333 1496 2882 19445 7431 249265
07
Year Banana Lemon Chashwanut Coconut Areconut Other Fruits
A P A P A P A P A P A P
1995- 3914 2673 2735 2730 4868 1480 8770 58.93 1745 3410 -- --
96
1996- 3914 2675 2938 2938 5968 1820 8867 59.58 1757 3450 -- --
97
1997- 4033 27400 3227 3225 6739 1900 9084 61.02 2336 4192 -- --
98
1998- 4065 2770 3240 3238 6739 1900 9084 75.46 2336 4192 -- --
99
1999- 4100 41.000 3227 40.31 7039 2.816 9184 81.08 2436 4.872 -- --
00
2
2000- 4935 63566 - - 3106 1105 3183 69.52 3173 6839 -- --
01
2001- 5000 63600 1400 6300 3220 1200 3333 70.00 3353 6850 695 4170
02
2002- 5011 63732 1500 8200 3245 1300 3493 70.10 3503 6900 844 12027
03
2003- 5423 68994 1891 10510 3706 1502 5101 187.27 4343 8589 926 11474
04
2004- 5374 69330 1982 10170 3814 1542 5201 198.43 4465 9042 1036 12672
05
2005- 5717 79250 2025 11070 3814 1855 5201 2997.00 4465 9580 1120 14245
06
2006-
07
6219 80160 2034 11115 3814 1726 5382 3166.60 4349 9564 2366 18828
(Area in Hectors, Production in M/T, Source: Statistical Abstract of Tripura 2007)
Year-wise Area, Production & Average yield of Cereal Crops in Tripura.
Year Rice Maize Wheat Gram
1995-
96
1996-
97
1997-
98
1998-
99
1999-
00
2000-
01
2001-
02
2002-
03
2003-
04
2004-
05
A P Y A P Y A P Y A P Y
231536 465550 2010 2280 2000 877 2620 5240 2000 490 305 622
258955 544830 2100 2410 1930 800 1950 3900 2000 615 370 600
257790 535840 2078 2230 1980 890 2310 4400 1905 260 150 577
255490 490110 1918 2315 1730 747 1105 2100 1900 180 110 611
232160 505685 2178 1250 1000 800 1250 2400 1920 213 135 634
241165 513402 2120 1580 1580 1000 1065 2230 2094 340 195 573
246744 587377 2380 2080 2080 1000 1220 2280 1869 399 255 640
255270 602370 2375 2305 2200 957 929 1827 1988 323 215 665
257450 616830 2396 2240 2150 960 895 1810 2022 344 237 689
256078 571659 2232 2790 2967 1063 944 1924 2038 266 187 703

2005-
06 (P)
2006-
07 (P)
256078 606780 2370 2150 2113 983 2610 5259 2015 939 616 656
250980 620500 2472 2450 2420 988 984 1827 1857 N.A. N.A. N.A.
(A in hect., P in tones/bales and Y in kg. per hector, Source: Statistical Abstract of Tripura 2007
Year-wise Area, Production & Average yield of Spices in Tripura.
Year Chilies Turmeric (Dry) Ginger
A P Y A P Y A P Y
1995-96 1530 830 542 1400 2770 990 1815 1833 1833
1996-97 1600 900 560 1420 2840 1005 1850 1840 1840
1997-98 1850 1045 565 1440 2718 1100 2190 1990 1990
1998-99 2000 1200 600 1500 2800 1200 2400 2000 2000
1999-00 1910 1140 597 1460 2840 1060 2050 1934 1934
2000-01 1845 1025 550 1440 2540 1150 2260 1960 1960
2001-02 1585 2200 1388 1512 6550 1350 2805 2077 2077
2002-03 1680 2405 1432 1480 4290 1330 4140 2030 2030
2003-04 1635 2260 1380 1470 4820 1320 2700 2040 2040
2004-05 1700 16279 9576 1102 3571 1180 2774 2351 2351
2005-06 1940 2910 1500 1108 3750 1364 2895 2122 2122
2006-07 1833 2082 1137 1149 3381 1415 4170 2947 2947
(A in hect., P in tones/bales and Y in kg. per hector, Source: Statistical Abstract of Tripura 2007)
Rubber
Rubber plantation has become a much-talked phenomenon in the State of Tripura. The State Forest
Department, aiming at soil and moisture conservation, first introduced rubber in Tripura in 1963.
With the intervention of the Rubber Board since 1967, rubber then got domesticated and coming
out of the estates, it has reached to the small growers’ yard.
In 1976 Tripura Forest Development & Plantation Corporation Ltd. (TFDPC Ltd.) was set up to
bring out more area under rubber cultivation. In 1982, Tripura Rehabilitation Plantation
Corporation Ltd. (TRPC Ltd.) was formed with the main objective of economic rehabilitation for
the shifting cultivators and tribal marginal farmers through rubber plantation.
India ranks third in terms of production of Natural Rubber in the World after Thailand and
Malayasia. Kerala is the largest and Tripura is the second largest producer of natural rubber in the
country.
In Tripura rubber plants (Hevea brasiliensis) were introduced for soil and moisture conservation
by Forest Department in 1963. Rubber is a tropical crop and grows well in Tripura. The species
has proved excellent for permanent settlement of tribal jhumias.

Rubber Board started implementing Group and Block plantation schemes from 1992 and thus a
revolution set off. Rubber Board kept on promoting rubber from village to village and a
spectacular progress could be achieved.
Till 2007-08, Tripura has about 39,670 hectares of rubber plantation. Total production of rubber in
the State was a 23,087 Mt in 2007-08.
The study conducted by the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, as a part of
exploratory study for the World Bank Assistance revealed that approximately 1 lakh hectares of
land is suitable for rubber cultivation in the State.
This offers tremendous scope for expansion of rubber plantation. Apex Bodies of Industries and
Commerce like CII etc. have also realized the importance and the potential of rubber cultivation in
the State. It is also proposed to engage an external agency to study the feasibility to extend rubber
cultivation in an area not exceeding 10 percent of the total geographical area of the State.
The raw rubber now produced is being sent out of the State to neighbouring States for further
value addition. Necessary follow-up action is also being taken to utilize the raw-rubber for value
added finished products within the State.
Recently a Rubber Mission has been set up by Government of Tripura for better co-ordination of
all the agencies involved in taking up plantation and marketing of rubber.
Tripura Forest Development and Plantation Corporation Ltd. (TFDPC Ltd.):
The TFDPC Ltd. is the major producer of rubber in the State and it functions under the
administrative control of State Forest Department. The Tripura Rehabilitation Plantation
Corporation Ltd. (TRPC Ltd.) under administrative control of State Tribal Welfare Department is
the 2nd largest producer of rubber in the State. TFDPC Ltd. has so far raised 11,416 hectares of
plantation on forest land over last 26 years. It has so far raised 3127.89 hectares of rubber for
settling the tribal jhumias in the private land owned as well as scheduled caste families.
TFDPC Ltd. markets rubber in the form of ribbed smoke sheet, cenex, crepe rubber and scrap
form. The production of rubber of TFDPC Ltd. in 2006-07 was 3546 MT, which sold for Rs. 27
crores. It created mandays to the tune of 10 lakhs, besides giving regular employment to large
number of permanent labourers for various works in processing, creation of plantations, nurseries
and other related works.
TFDPC Ltd. has taken up the treatment of rubber wood for production of substitute wood to
reduce the demand on forests. Treated rubber wood is similar in properties to natural teak wood
and is in fashion in western world for its shining white cream colour and better properties.
A common facility centre with imported high technology based machines is in final stage of
commissioning. A rubber wood factory has also been setup with a capacity of producing 80 solid
wood boards per annum with finger joining technique. The TFDPC Ltd. has switched over to
RMA system of grading it rubber sheets. Also it is in the process of shifting over to mechanise
processing to ensure higher quality sheets and has started bio-gas plants to reduce the dependence
on fuel wood. A project for door manufacturing unit has been submitted to the Ministry of
Commerce and Industries, Government of India. There is a project proposal for setting up of a
Bamboo Board factory with assistance of NMBA.

Year wise acreage of rubber plantation in Tripura till 2007-08.
Year
Area (in Ha)
1976-77 574
1981-82 3,590
1986-87 10,085
1991-92 17,860
1996-97 23,936
2001-02 30,575
2006-07 35,760
2007-08 39,670
Source: Economic Review of Tripura 2007-08.
Agriculture & Agribusiness Opportunities – Tripura State Profile
Tripura is the remotest state in the northeast region.
Agriculture exhibited an annual compound growth rate of 4.84 percent during the period from
1993-94 to 2008-09.
The total population in Assam state is about 0.32 crore (0.31 % of India Population).
Net State Domestic Product in Crores
Per Capita Income
as per sector
Occupational Distribution of Population

Category wise Distribution of workers
Developments in the Agricultural Sector
Tripura has net-cropped area of 2.551akh hectares. About 24.3 percent area is devoted to
agriculture use. The principal crops cultivated are paddy, wheat, jute, sugar cane, potato,
turmeric, coconut, oil seeds, pineapple, jackfruit, orange, banana, litchi, potato, tomato,
cauliflower, cabbage, ginger, turmeric, cashew and ginger.
The state is the highest pineapple and jackfruit producing area in the country. Though most of
the crops grown are consumed within and caters to the local market but some vegetable and
horticultural crops like cabbage, cauliflower, potato and pineapple, orange, jackfruit, ginger, etc.
are supplied to the rest of the country.
Due to close proximity of the state to Bangladesh, the producers find it profitable and convenient
to send the produce to that country
Paddy/rice is the main crop grown in the state occupying 70 percent of the gross cropped area.
Other crops having significant share in gross cropped area are fruits and vegetables. Of all the
major crops, production of food grains, tea and spices has increased over the years.
The state government has taken several steps to augment production of diverse crops grown in
Tripura. The food grain production was increased from 5.13 lakh tons during 1999-00 to 6.48 lakh
tons during 2009-10. A significant aspect had been the growth in HYV seed replacement rate,
which increased from 2.8 percent in 1999-2000 to 33 percent by 2009-10.
The productivity of jhum paddy has been increased from 409 kg/ha to 1000 kg/ha during the
above mentioned period. As has been observed in many other Northeast states, per hectare use
of chemical fertilizer has remained at a low level of 39 kg/ha.

Tripura is also a major producer of horticultural products. Pineapples and oranges from Tripura
region are renowned for unique flavor and organic nature of produce. There is immense
potential for development of this sector. In order to realize the potential in the horticultural and
food processing sector, the government has established a Food Park at Bodhjungnagar, which has
all the modern facilities like testing laboratories, cold storage, pack house, ware house etc. that
are needed for the growth of food processing industries

Initiatives and Incentives to Promote Agriculture and Agribusiness
The state government has put significant emphasis on the development of agro and food
processing industries with an objective to ensure better returns to the farmers for their products as
well as to create employment opportunities in the rural areas.
The government has also identified the need for infrastructure creation with community
participation for fruit processing and for establishing a fresh fruit marketing chain.
The agro-processing is also thought to be promoted under joint venture or public private
partnership. Along with these, other major thrust areas include, (1) increase in the production of
food grains and certified seeds for High Yielding Varieties, (2) increase in seed replacement rate,
(3) raise fertilizer use rate for both chemicals and bio-fertilizers, and (4) enhance credit to farmers.
Following is the outcome of government's initiatives in this direction.
Since rice is a major crop in the region, the government of Tripura also envisages adoption
of best practices through a System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The government has
achieved substantial results from this initiative as the area under SRI has increased
significantly. In the year 2009-10, 59,577 ha was covered under SRI against 39,490
hectares in 2008-09. A target of 85,000 hectares has been fixed for 201011 & 1.00 Lakh
Ha by 2011-12. SRI aims to achieve 15-20 percent increase in yields in paddy cultivation.
The thrust areas for industrial promotion in Tripura have been identified as below.
1.Cashew nut processing 2. Fruits & vegetable processing 3. Jackfruit processing 4. Canned fruit
pulps and slices 5. Animal feeds 6. Desiccated coconut 7. Energy food 8. Tapioca starch
9.Pineapple processing 10. Cashew processing 11. Fruit canning 12. Cold storage 13. Spice
powder processing.