Assam farmers visit Tripura to learn advanced onion farming techniques

A group of 18 farmers from Assam has arrived in Tripura to study the state’s successful onion farming initiatives. Organized by the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture in collaboration with Tripura Agricultural College and NABARD, this exposure visit aims to highlight modern agricultural techniques that have contributed to Tripura’s impressive onion yields.

Facilitated by Tripura Agricultural College and NABARD, the program focuses on hands-on learning experiences in precision farming, organic horticulture, and advanced cultivation methods. A program representative emphasized the importance of practical exposure, stating, “Seeing is believing.”

On April 3, the delegation toured onion farms in Champamura and Laxmibil village in Bishalgarh, Sepahijala district. During their visit, they interacted with local farmers and agricultural experts to gain insights into the best practices adopted for onion cultivation. Professor Dr. Trideep Bhattacharya from Tripura Agricultural College, Sector Officer Prabir Dutta from the Agriculture Department, and Circle Incharge Suman Dutta provided detailed explanations on farming techniques and support systems.

Sanjit Debnath, a successful onion farmer and head of Laxmibil Panchayat, shared his farming experiences with the visiting delegation from Jorhat, Sonitpur, and Kokrajhar districts of Assam. Meanwhile, Manik Kumar Laskar from Champamura, who ventured into onion cultivation for the first time this year, discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with the crop.

This season, 60 farmers in Bishalgarh sub-division cultivated onions across 25 kani (approximately 8.3 hectares) of land, achieving a remarkable yield of 1,800 kg per hectare. Inspired by this success, the visiting farmers expressed keen interest in adopting similar techniques in their home districts.

The initiative aims to foster cross-state agricultural knowledge exchange, promote sustainable farming, and encourage income-generating practices such as organic cultivation, micro-irrigation, and precision farming. The visit is expected to strengthen collaboration among northeastern states and contribute to improved productivity and innovation in agriculture.