Tripura aims to scale up orchid cultivation

Agartala: The Tripura administration has launched a programme to promote commercial orchid cultivation, aiming to enhance the state's horticultural economy alongside agricultural production, agriculture and farmers' welfare minister Ratan Lal Nath on Friday.The state's horticulture and soil conservation department, working with ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids (NRCO), Sikkim, conducted training for 3,000 farmers across various districts. They distributed 12,000 premium Dendrobium orchid planting materials and coco blocks valued at Rs 35 lakh recently."Traditionally, Tripura is home to hundreds of orchids abandoned in the forest areas, which later identified as high value flora. Not only in domestic use, those orchids have export potential and we are exploring it further," Nath said.The adjacent states of Mizoram and Meghalaya have been substantial orchid producers, exporting to European nations extensively. Many residents sustain themselves through orchid-related earnings, and Tripura aims to implement a similar approach for its hill communities to boost their economic situation, the minister said.He added that ICAR researchers have recognised Tripura's capability to expand floriculture through orchid cultivation. ICAR-NRCO specialists have initiated training sessions to provide farmers with hands-on experience in tropical orchid cultivation, with plans to continue these programmes.The programme is anticipated to encourage farmers in Tripura to take up orchid cultivation, supporting the state's strategy to diversify farming practices and improve floriculture prospects, stated ICAR-NRCO director Dr SP Das."The initiative aimed to promote tropical orchid cultivation in Tripura, leveraging its favourable climate and growing consumer demand for orchids. And, orchids could play a significant role in enhancing farmers' income, both in domestic and global markets," Das added.