Which Mango Varieties are Being Experimentally Cultivated in Tripura to Enhance Farmers’ Income?

Agartala, June 29 (NationPress) In an effort to enhance the income of farmers, a total of 22 foreign improved varieties and 13 indigenous improved varieties of mango are currently under experimental cultivation at the Horticulture and Research Centre located in Nagichara, West Tripura, as stated by Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Sunday.

During the Monsoon Mango Fiesta-2025 held at Narikel Kunj in the tribal-inhabited Dhalai district, the minister highlighted that since the BJP government took office in 2018, approximately 706 hectares of new land have been allocated for mango cultivation through various initiatives. This year, there is a goal to rejuvenate 18 hectares of old gardens in Gandatwisa.

He mentioned that Tripura's tropical climate, moderate temperatures, plentiful rainfall, and rich soil create a perfect environment for mango growing.

“Capitalizing on this opportunity, since 2018, we have focused on fruit cultivation to help the state's farmers achieve economic self-sufficiency. Various mango varieties are being cultivated at the Horticulture and Research Centre in Nagichara. The experimental cultivation includes 13 indigenous improved varieties and 22 foreign improved varieties such as Miyazaki, Haribhanga, Yellow Banana, Japanese All Time, and Thai Himsagar,” Minister Nath elaborated.

Currently, the land utilized for fruit cultivation in the state spans 58,491 hectares, yielding 5,98,241 MT of produce. Out of this, mango cultivation occupies 10,192 hectares, generating 51,368 MT. The average mango yield stands at 5.04 MT per hectare in Tripura.

Nath noted that to achieve economic self-reliance, tribal farmers in the Gandatwisa Agricultural Subdivision commenced mango cultivation in 2018.

He remarked that since 2018, there has been a heightened focus on mango cultivation. While the average mango yield in the state is 5.04 MT per hectare, the productivity in the tribal-dominated Gandatwisa subdivision ranges between 8 to 9 MT per hectare, slightly below the national average of 9.66 MT per hectare.

The minister mentioned that the annual net income from per-hectare areas is estimated to be between Rs 5 to 6 lakh.

This year, farmers in the Gandatwisa agricultural subdivision have sold local mangoes at wholesale prices ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 70 per kg to traders in Agartala, Ambassa, Kumarghat, and Dharmanagar, while foreign varieties are priced between Rs 150 to Rs 300 per kg.

Additionally, it was announced that 10 Solar-Based Cool Chambers have been established in various regions of the state, with plans for a new cool chamber to be set up in Gondatwisa this year to support local fruit farmers.