The Tripura government will expand its commercial grape cultivation programme by testing 18 additional grape varieties and offering farmers enhanced technical support, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Wednesday at a field day and awareness event in Chandipur, Unakoti. The launch, held alongside NABARD-funded projects, aims to make grape farming a viable livelihood in the state through research, scientific interventions and capacity building.
Nath said the state has already seen promising results from renewed research efforts. “After nearly two decades, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Unakoti restarted grape-related research and development activities in 2024. Initial results have shown encouraging improvements in fruit quality, sweetness and yield, indicating the crop’s potential in the state,” he said, citing early gains from experimental trials.
During his visit the minister inspected a local vineyard where sweet grape varieties have been successfully grown under Tripura’s conditions and handed out power-operated agricultural machinery to farmers to boost productivity. The government is emphasising practical support alongside research to help growers scale production.
Scientists in the state have been experimenting with cultivation practices suited to non-traditional grape regions. As part of these efforts, six grape varieties sourced from the ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes were introduced in Tripura in September 2024 for experimental cultivation. Agricultural researchers in Tripura have also developed four varieties locally, two of which are reported to be suitable for wine production.
Nath acknowledged persistent challenges to grape farming in the state, including excessive rainfall, high humidity, low sweetness levels in some fruit, limited adaptability of certain introduced varieties, scarce specialised agrochemicals and gaps in growers’ technical knowledge. To mitigate these problems, researchers are using targeted nutrient management and growth regulator treatments to boost sweetness and overall crop performance.
Looking ahead, the government’s roadmap focuses on testing the 18 additional varieties, strengthening research and technology development, running extensive farmer training programmes and creating grape-growing clusters in suitable areas. Officials also plan to support post-harvest handling, set up vineyards, provide technical guidance and inputs, and promote value-added products such as grape juice and ready-to-serve beverages through cluster-based small-scale juice processing units to improve market access for farmers.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/tripura/tripura-plans-expansion-of-grape-cultivation-with-trials-of-18-new-varieties/53013/
Category: Tripura,Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath,grape cultivation,Tripura government
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Publish Date: 2026-06-04 12:00:00
