ICAR-RC-NEH Region, Tripura Centre, successfully organized a State-Level Workshop on ‘Strategic
Roadmap for Advancing Crop Improvement to Ensure Livelihood and Nutritional Security in Tripura’ to highlight innovations and advancements in farming.
The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Rahul Kumar, Scientist (Plant Breeding); Dr. A. Gangarani Devi, Senior Scientist (Plant Physiology); and Dr. Bijoya
Bhattacharjee, Principal Scientist (Plant Biotechnology). His Excellency, the Hon’ble Governor of Tripura, Shri Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, was unable to
attend the workshop in person due to illness. However, his written message was read out by Dr. B. U. Choudhury, Head of ICAR Tripura Centre, highlighted
challenges like limited irrigation, soil erosion, and climate variability. He praised ICAR's efforts in developing high-yielding paddy and pulses, Integrated
Farming Systems, weed mat technology, and ‘Tokabari’ poultry. Dr. Choudhury informed that ICAR’s paddy varieties cover 68% of the total state’s area and introduced
climate-resilient paddy varieties viz. NICRA Aerobic Dhan-1 and NICRA Aerobic Dhan-2, requiring 60% less water than traditional varieties.
Chief Guest, Secretary of ARDD and Fisheries, Smt. Deepa D. Nair highlighted Tripura's progress in fish and
livestock production, emphasizing artificial insemination, training, and advanced equipment for farmers. Dr. P. B. Jamatia, Director of Agriculture and Farmers’
Welfare gave a detailed road map to achieve sustainability, including the MOVCD-NER project, oil palm cultivation, and promoting new horticultural crops like dragon
fruit and rambutan, while advocating climate-resilient varieties. Distinguished attendees included Dr. Neeraj Kumar Chanchal, Director of ARDD; Dr. Deepak Kumar Das,
Director of Horticulture; Dr. Santosh Das, Director of Fisheries; Dr. A.B. Patel, Dean of the College of Fisheries; and Dr. Uttam Saha, Joint Director, SARS. This was
an unique platform that brought all State Heads from agriculture, horticulture, veterinary, fisheries, ICAR, CAU, NABARD, etc., together in committing resolution for
livelihood improvement of farmers of the state. KVK West Tripura and ICAR Tripura Centre organized the ‘Krishi Samriddhi Swarna Week’ exhibition with all 8 KVKs, FPOs,
and entrepreneurs. The workshop was attended by more than 350 participants, including officials from line departments, scientists, KVK representatives, entrepreneurs,
FPOs, and progressive farmers. The workshop concluded with a technical session on advances in crop improvement technologies and distribution of high-yielding paddy and
pulse varieties to more than 250 farmers.
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