Agartala, November 12:
Tripura is steadily progressing toward self-sufficiency in the production of **Arhar dal (pigeon pea)** and **onion**, with both crops showing remarkable success across the state, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister **Ratan Lal Nath** announced on Tuesday.
Speaking after a visit to the **College of Agriculture at Lembuchara**, the Minister highlighted the state’s growing achievements in agricultural research and education. “Earlier, only undergraduate courses were offered, but since 2021, we have also started postgraduate courses. Each year, around 200 students are admitted — including 60 undergraduates and 18 postgraduates across three departments,” he said, adding that there has been a notable increase in female enrollment in agriculture studies.
Emphasizing the importance of agricultural sustainability, Nath said, “If agriculture is destroyed, everything will be destroyed. India has become self-sufficient in rice, milk, eggs, and fish, but we still import pulses. Under the National Mission on Pulses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to make India self-sufficient in every agricultural sector.”
The Minister informed that after **10 years of research**, scientists including **Dr. Biman Dey (Agronomy)**, **Dr. D.P. Awasthi (Plant Pathology)**, and **Dr. B.C. Thangjam (Entomology)** have successfully developed **eight new varieties of Arhar dal**, suitable for Tripura’s soil and climate. “Earlier, the yield was 705 kg per hectare; now it has increased to 823 kg, and these new varieties can produce up to 2000 kg per hectare,” Nath said, adding that these will soon be distributed to farmers.
On onion cultivation, the Minister said the state has achieved a breakthrough. “Earlier, people believed onions couldn’t be grown in Tripura, but today both red and white onions are being cultivated successfully. The cultivation area has increased from **163 hectares in 2017–18 to 225 hectares in 2025–26**. Soon, Tripura will be self-reliant in onion production as well,” he asserted.
