Reported by: Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: Tripura has successfully cultivated organic wheat for the first time, with output surpassing conventional yield levels, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Saturday.
The minister said that the initiative was implemented with support from the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency (TSOFDA) in collaboration with farmer producer companies (FPCs) and farmers across multiple clusters.Rajiv Debbarma, Mission Director of TSOFDA, was also present at the programme.
According to Nath, organic wheat was cultivated in areas such as Jirania, Lefunga, Hejamara, Mandai, Belbari, Jampuijala, Tulashikhar, Teliamura, Ompi and Kalyanpur, marking diversification in the state’s organic farming practices.
He said that the data on conventional wheat cultivation between 2018–19 and 2024–25 showed an average yield of 2.119 metric tonnes per hectare, while organic wheat production in the current year reached 3.03 metric tonnes per hectare.
“This is significantly higher than conventional cultivation and close to the national average of 3.5 MT per hectare,” Nath said.
The minister said that the farmers involved in the programme expressed satisfaction with the results and acknowledged institutional support in introducing wheat as a new organic crop.
He said that the initiative is expected to contribute to nutritional security, crop diversification and income generation for farmers, adding that cooperative participation through FPCs would support expansion of food grain production in the state.
Officials said the development reflects progress in the state’s organic farming framework and may lead to expansion of cultivation areas, along with scope for seed production and value-added products such as organic flour.
Nath said that this initiative would support sustainable agriculture, climate resilience and market opportunities for farmers.