AGARTALA, December 20 (TIWN): Tripura Government stressing on its Horticulture products with the plantation of certain fruits here in Tripura. Talking to TIWN at the civil secretariat, V.K. Bahuguna, Principal Secretary said that the Tripura Govt. is looking forward to introduce certain fruits like Kinnow, Kiwi, and Annar by planting here in Tripura. Adding to that Mr. Bahuguna said that the kinnow, which is a high yield variety of mandarin orange cultivated extensively in the Punjab region, is three times higher in rich source than the orange. The kinnow fruit is large and orange, with 12 to 25 seeds and a globular shape. It matures in January or February. Therefore the fruit Kinnow can be used as an alternate to orange after the season for oranges ends here in Tripura, said Vahuguna.

This "easy peel" citrus has assumed special economic importance and export demand due to its high juice content, special flavour, and as a rich source of vitamin C and its trees are highly productive.

Mr. Vahuguna also added that the Orange cultivation here in tripura to be brought under at least 3000 hectares of land and especially Barmura and Killa has been targeted for it.

Beside, a factory to be set up soon here in Tripura to make a product from a lemon pickles. Whereas on the other, Tripura to introduce Jackfruit Papad soon, said V.K. Vahuguna.

On sidlines, another issue, Vahuguna told that the ICAR to introduce at least 16 varieties of drought resistant crops in the state and 7000 hectares of land to be brought for Pulses and its varieties. Alongwith 2 ton rice mills to be set up at Kumarghat and Udaipur, said Vahuguna.

However, later asked about if the Tripura Govt. is looking for any international market, Mr. Vahuguna said that recently a buyers and sellers meet would be held and will approach to bring the Bangladesh industry to buy the products under horticulture farming.

According to the sources, apple cultivation has been found here in Tripura, Kanchanpur area. And following this the Tripura horticulture department would send a team soon to make a survey of it.  

It is to be mentioned here that Tripura is endowed with favorable climatic conditions which offer immense scope for cultivation of various kinds of Horticultural crops including fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, flowers and other ornamentals. The horticultural sector has been establishing increasingly its credibility for improving the productivity of land, generating employment, improving the economic condition of farmers and entrepreneurs, enhancing export and above all, providing nutritional security to people.

The North eastern region offers scope for cultivation of a wide variety of horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, tuber and rhizomatous crops and spices because of its diversities in topography, altitude and climatic conditions. A range of fruit crops varying from highly temperate types like walnut, apple, etc., to subtropical as well as tropical fruits are coming up well in this region. Similarly wide and diverse type of vegetables including indigenous ones are cultivated in the region. Despite the favourable factors and the scope for cultivation of horticultural crops, the development of horticulture has not picked up momentum as desired.