Tripura: In a significant development, the Central Government has assigned Tripura the responsibility of overseeing seed certification for its neighboring states, Mizoram and Manipur. The decision highlights Tripura’s growing role as an agricultural leader in the northeastern region.
According to an official from the Tripura Agriculture Department, Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath emphasized the critical role of adopting high-quality seeds to achieve self-sufficiency in food grain production. “To make Tripura self-sufficient in food grains, it is essential to adopt better-quality seeds,” the official stated.
Tripura has been actively distributing high-yield rice, pulses, and oilseeds to farmers at subsidized rates. This initiative aims to increase crop yields and improve farmers’ incomes. High-yielding seeds typically require replacement every three years, while hybrid seeds must be replaced annually, ensuring sustained productivity and agricultural growth.
The state began its journey in seed production in 2002 with rice seed production led by registered seed producers. Over time, Tripura established key institutions, such as:
- State Agricultural Research Institute at Arundhati Nagar, Agartala.
- Tripura State Seed Certification Agency for overseeing seed quality.
- State Seed Testing Laboratory to facilitate rigorous certification processes.
These efforts have made Tripura one of the only two northeastern states, along with Assam, to have a fully operational seed certification system.
The state has achieved self-sufficiency in producing high-yield varieties of paddy seeds and expanded its capabilities to include pulses and oilseeds.
On October 22, 2024, the Central Government entrusted Tripura with managing seed certification for Mizoram and Manipur. This decision underscores Tripura’s growing prominence as a hub for agricultural development in the northeast.
With robust systems in place, Tripura is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural standards across Mizoram and Manipur. By ensuring the availability of certified, high-quality seeds, the state aims to support regional food security and boost farmers’ productivity.
Tripura’s leadership in seed certification not only reflects its own strides in agriculture but also sets a benchmark for collaboration and progress in the northeastern region.