Tripura Unveils New Flood-Resistant Paddy Varieties to Aid Farmers

Introduction of New Paddy Varieties

Agartala, June 13: The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister of Tripura, Ratan Lal Nath, has announced the successful creation of three innovative paddy varieties designed to endure flooding. During a press briefing on Friday, Nath highlighted that these varieties—Swarna Sub I, IR8, and Arundhuti—were developed by agricultural experts to tackle the persistent flood challenges that farmers in the region face.

According to Nath, these new paddy strains can survive submerged conditions for as long as 15 days. He expressed hope that their introduction will significantly benefit Tripura’s agricultural sector, stating, “They will help protect yields and minimize severe crop losses for farmers.” He also mentioned that research into climate-resilient seed development is currently in progress.

The Minister spoke to the press after the completion of the Viksit Krishi Sankalpa Yatra, a 15-day agricultural outreach program conducted from May 29 to June 12.

This campaign included over 873 interactions with farmers across 956 gram panchayats and village councils, reaching nearly 195,000 farmers, including more than 60,000 women, who made up 34% of the participants. The initiative, supported by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), aimed to promote modern agricultural practices.

Nath underscored the importance of technology and data-driven approaches in maximizing the use of the state’s limited agricultural land. “We have established soil testing facilities in five districts and deployed mobile vans in other areas to facilitate effective crop planning,” he stated.

In terms of food production, Nath reported that 30 out of Tripura’s 58 rural development blocks have achieved self-sufficiency. Districts like South Tripura, Sepahijala, and Gomati have reached food security, while Dhalai and Khowai are experiencing minor shortages. Unakoti is still facing a deficit of 10,000 to 11,000 metric tons, and significant gaps persist in West and North Tripura.