Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced the construction of smoke houses in the state to ensure the quality of rubber. The announcement was made during the inaugural program of the National Conference cum Buyer & Seller Meet organized by the Agriculture Department at Pragna Bhavan, Agartala. Saha highlighted the importance of agriculture in Tripura’s economy and mentioned the state’s abundant natural resources such as rubber, tea, Agar, bamboo, and gas. He stated that these resources have the potential to foster industrial development.
Saha mentioned that Tripura is the second-largest producer of rubber after Kerala and produces around 94,000 metric tons of rubber across 70,000 hectares of land. He also mentioned that the rubber industry has played a crucial role in the economic development of the state. To ensure the quality of rubber, the government is constructing smoke houses and manufacturing graded rubber sheets. Additionally, the government is actively working on establishing partnerships with various tire companies to produce tires using locally sourced rubber.
The Chief Minister also showcased Tripura’s organic produce, particularly the delectable Queen Pineapple, which has been officially declared the state food. The state has been exporting pineapples to other countries and has established an ‘Integrated Pack House’ for packaging and quality maintenance purposes. The pineapples have gained popularity in both domestic and foreign markets. Saha further informed that the state government is cultivating more than 419 varieties of exotic flowers on 1163 hectares of land.
Furthermore, Tripura boasts 21 species of bamboo and the state’s bamboo has been used in the construction of the new parliament building. The favorable climate of Tripura allows for the cultivation of fruits on over 12,000 hectares of land and vegetables in approximately 16,000 hectares. Saha expressed dedication to doubling the income of farmers and stated that the average farmer’s income has increased from Rs 6,580 to Rs 13,510. The improved connectivity in the state will also benefit importers and exporters.
The National Conference saw the participation of around 18 buyers and sellers from across the country.
