The Tripura government will launch trials on 18 additional grape varieties and scale up research, training and farmer support to transform the Northeastern state into a viable grape-growing belt, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on 3 June 2025. The push follows the state's first successful cultivation of sweet grapes at an orchard in Chandipur, Unakoti district.

Key announcements at Chandipur

Speaking at a field day-cum-awareness programme on commercial grape cultivation and the launch of NABARD-funded projects, Nath said the government would intensify research, develop region-specific cultivation technologies, and roll out comprehensive farmer training. He also distributed power-operated agricultural equipment to growers to encourage mechanised, modern practices.

A first for the Northeast

Nath visited an orchard where sweet grapes have been cultivated successfully for the first time in the Northeastern region — a milestone for a state long considered unsuitable for the fruit. Scientists have so far developed four grape varieties in Tripura, including two wine grape varieties, following years of research.

The Minister noted that India's average grape productivity stands at around 24 metric tonnes per hectare, and expressed confidence that Tripura could emerge as a promising grape belt through scientific interventions.

The KVK Unakoti revival

After a near two-decade gap, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Unakoti resumed grape research and development in 2024. Preliminary results have been encouraging on sweetness, yield and fruit quality, Nath said. In September 2024, six varieties were sourced from the ICAR–National Research Centre for Grapes and planted under experimental conditions.

Challenges still on the vine

Nath acknowledged that several hurdles continue to constrain large-scale cultivation: insufficient fruit sweetness, limited suitability of introduced varieties, excessive rainfall, high humidity, non-availability of specific agrochemicals, and patchy technical awareness among farmers. To counter these, scientists have deployed improved nutrient management and growth regulators, with early results described as promising.

The roadmap ahead

Beyond the 18-variety trial, the action plan covers cluster-based vineyards across suitable locations, intensive farmer training, and the establishment of small-scale grape juice and Ready-to-Serve (RTS) beverage processing units to boost value addition. The government also plans training on post-harvest management and policy recommendations based on ongoing field findings.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy, senior officials of the Directorate of Horticulture, scientists and local farmers attended the Chandipur programme. With trials widening and processing units on the drawing board, the next two seasons will test whether Tripura's grape experiment can move from orchard novelty to commercial reality.