Tripura government has brought 706 hectares of new area under mango cultivation through various projects since 2018, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare said on Sunday.

He also announced a target to revive 18 hectares of old gardens at Gandatwisa under Dhalai district this year.

The Agriculture Minister said this while addressing the Monsoon Mango Fiesta 2025 at Narikelkunja, one of the most important tourist destinations of Tripura.

“Tripura's tropical climate, moderate temperature, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil are ideal for mango cultivation. Taking advantage of this opportunity, since 2018, emphasis has been given to fruit cultivation to make the farmers of the state economically self-reliant. Different varieties of mango are cultivated at the Horticulture and Research Centre, Nagichara. Out of these, there are 13 indigenous improved varieties of mango, such as Ambika, Arunika, Amrapalli, Himsagar, etc. Apart from this, there are 22 foreign improved varieties of mango, such as Miyazaki, Haribhanga, Yellow Banana, Japanese All Time, Thai Himsagar, etc.,” said Minister Nath.

He said that currently, the area under fruit cultivation in the state is 58,491 hectares, and the production is 5,98,241 MT and out of this, the area under mango cultivation is 10,192 hectares, with a production of 51,368 MT. The average production of mango is 5.04 MT per hectare.

“Since the coming to power of this government in 2018, around 706 hectares of new area have been brought under mango cultivation through various projects. In order to become economically self-reliant, the tribal farmers of the Gandatwisa Agricultural Subdivision started mango cultivation in 2018. Greater importance was given to mango cultivation from that year onward. Currently, there are 4 indigenous and 18 foreign mango orchards of improved varieties spread over 277 hectares of land, managed by 186 farmers,” said the Agriculture Minister.

He stated that the average mango production in our state is 5.04 MT per hectare.

“Whereas the average production of mangoes in Gandatwisa agricultural subdivision is 8 to 9 MT per hectare, and the national average is 9.66 MT per hectare. The annual net income per hectare is Rs 5 to 6 lakh. This year, farmers from the Gandatwisa agricultural subdivision have sold local mangoes at wholesale prices to traders in Agartala, Ambassa, Kumarghat, and Dharmanagar at Rs 50 to Rs 70 per kg, and foreign varieties at Rs 150 to Rs 300 per kg. To increase production in the existing orchards, irrigation has been provided to 9 mango gardens under the PMKSY project through drip irrigation, and 30 hectares of old gardens have been revived. This year, 18 hectares of old gardens will be revived. Additionally, 130 farmers from the Gandatwisa agricultural subdivision will be trained in advanced technology for fruit cultivation,” said the Minister.

He informed that a target has been set to bring 50 hectares of new area under mango cultivation in the Gandatwisa agricultural subdivision this year. Apart from mango, a target has also been set for pineapple cultivation in 10 hectares and jackfruit cultivation in 1 hectare.

He further informed that 10 Solar-Based Cool Chambers have been set up in different parts of the state, and this year, a new Solar-Based Cool Chamber will be established in Gondatwisa for the convenience of fruit farmers.