State Agriculture Infrastructure Development Plan (SAIDP ...

1.2 Focus of RKVY RAFTAAR ______________________________________________________ 7
1.3 Objectives of SAIDP ___________________________________________________________ 7
1.4 Approach and Methodology _____________________________________________________ 8
1.5 Methodology of assessing cost of infrastructure proposed in the SAIDP ___________________ 8
1.6 Indicative List of Infrastructures and Assets under RKVY-RAFTAAR. ____________________ 11
2. State Profile- Tripura ______________________________________________ 15
2.1 General Introduction of the state _________________________________________________ 16
2.2 Demographic Profile of the state _________________________________________________ 16
2.3 Physiographic Features of the state ______________________________________________ 17
2.4 Soil Profile of the state _________________________________________________________ 18
2.5 Water Resources in the state ___________________________________________________ 19
2.6 Agro Climatic Profile __________________________________________________________ 20
2.7 Economic Profile of the state ____________________________________________________ 21
2.8 Workers Profile of the state _____________________________________________________ 22
2.9 Land Use & Land Holding Pattern in the state ______________________________________ 22
2.10 Development Vision & Strategy_________________________________________________ 23
3.1 General Infrastructure _________________________________________________________ 25
3.3 Agri Infrastructure ____________________________________________________________ 32
3.5 Farm Mechanization & Farm Power ______________________________________________ 41
3.6 Status of Plans Proposed in C-DAP (2015-16 to 2019-20) ____________________________ 44
3.7 Infrastructure Proposed for the Development of Agriculture Sector ______________________ 46
3.8 Scope for Promotion of Commercial Crop and Value Chain Development ________________ 52
3.9 Strategies for Conservation of Biodiversity _________________________________________ 53
4. Development of Allied Agricultural Sectors _____________________________ 55
4.1 Horticulture Infrastructure Development Plan _______________________________________ 56
4.2 Animal Resource & Dairy Infrastructure Development Plan ____________________________ 59
4.3 Fisheries Infrastructure Development Plan _________________________________________ 66
5. Detailed Action Plan _______________________________________________ 69
5.1 Proposals of Agriculture Department _____________________________________________ 70
5.2 Proposals of Horticulture Department _____________________________________________ 94
5.3 Proposals of ARDD Department ________________________________________________ 104
5.4 Proposals of Fisheries Department ______________________________________________ 113
List of Tables
Table 1: Caste wise male female population 2011 - Tripura ................................................................. 16 Table 2: Change in literacy rate 2001 to 2011 - Tripura ........................................................................ 17 Table 3: Soil Profile of Tripura ................................................................................................................ 18 Table 4: Status of Soil Reaction in different districts of Tripura State (area in hectare) ........................ 19 Table 5: Sources wise water spread area (WSA) in the Districts of Tripura.......................................... 20 Table 6: Agro Climatic Zones in Tripura ................................................................................................. 20 Table 7: Land Use Pattern in Tripura ..................................................................................................... 22 Table 8: Status of Road Infrastructure in Tripura ................................................................................... 26 Table 9: Coverage of BSNL Tripura ....................................................................................................... 26 Table 10: Demand and Availability of Power in Tripura ......................................................................... 27 Table 11: Status of Electrification in Gram Panchayats ......................................................................... 28 Table 12: Status of Bank Coverage in Tripura ....................................................................................... 28 Table 13: Area, Production and Yield of major crops in Tripura (2017-18) ........................................... 29 Table 14: Area, Production and Yield of Paddy in Tripura ..................................................................... 30 Table 15: Area, Production and Yield of Maize in Tripura ..................................................................... 30 Table 16: Area, Production and Yield of Pulses in Tripura .................................................................... 31 Table 17: Area, Production and Yield of Oilseeds in Tripura ................................................................. 32 Table 18: Status of existing Infrastructure related to seed, fertilizer and pesticides ............................. 37 Table 19: District wise number of Godowns and storage capacity (MT) in the State ............................ 38 Table 20: District wise regulated markets in Tripura .............................................................................. 39 Table 21: Department wise Irrigation Potential and Utilization .............................................................. 40 Table 22: Scheme wise details of coverage of PWD (WR).................................................................... 40 Table 23: Infra & assets Projects of SAP/DAP demanded & approved under RKVY (2015-2020) ...... 44 Table 24: RKVY Infrastructure Project Approved in last 4 years ........................................................... 45 Table 25: Infrastructure Development Projects under Process ............................................................. 45 Table 26: District wise infrastructure plan of Agriculture Department (Rs. Lakh) .................................. 46 Table 27: Infrastructure proposed by T-SAMETI ................................................................................... 47 Table 28: Infrastructure proposed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra .................................................................. 48 Table 29: Infrastructure proposed by College of Agriculture ................................................................. 49 Table 30: Infrastructure proposed by SARS, Agartala ........................................................................... 49 Table 31: Creative Infrastructure Development and Asset Creation in Agriculture Sector ................... 51 Table 32: Area, Production and Yield of major fruit and plantation crops in Tripura ............................. 56 Table 33: Area, Production and Yield of vegetables and spices in Tripura ........................................... 57 Table 34: Sector wise availability of cold storages in Tripura ................................................................ 58 Table 35: Commodity wise availability of cold storages in Tripura ........................................................ 58 Table 36: District wise infrastructure plan of Horticulture Department (Rs. Lakh) ................................ 58 Table 37: Livestock Population of Tripura .............................................................................................. 60 Table 38: Livestock Sector output Value during the year - 2017-18 ...................................................... 61 Table 39: Present scenario of district wise Veterinary Institutions 2017-18 .......................................... 61 Table 40: Performance of major fodder farms ....................................................................................... 62 Table 41: Performance of Gomati Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Ltd during 2017-18 ................. 63 Table 42: District wise infrastructure plan of ARDD Department (Rs. Lakh) ......................................... 64 Table 43: Infrastructure proposed by ARDD Department, Tripura (Financial in Rs. Lakh) ................... 65 Table 44: Fisheries statistics related to State in 2017-18 ...................................................................... 66 Table 45: District wise detailed fisheries statistics of Tripura ................................................................ 67 Table 46: District wise infrastructure plan of Fisheries Department (Rs. Lakh) .................................... 68
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Summary of all the proposals of participating department (Amount in Rs. Lakh)
Period Districts Agriculture Horticulture ARDD Fisheries Total
2019-20
North Tripura District 904 632.3 1160 351 3047
Sepahijala District 793 678.8 40 295.5 1807
South Tripura District 2759 229.3 266.6 265.1 3520
Unakoti District 630 311.5 275 24 1241
West Tripura District 395 884.6 119 1317.5 2716
State Level Proposals 6013 54.5 26.5 0 6094
Total 2019-20 18430 3783 2502 2996 27710
2020-21
North Tripura District 1797 713 205 146 2861
Sepahijala District 1090 893.7 78 362 2424
South Tripura District 1143 295.8 725 320 2484
Unakoti District 244 455.3 99.5 30 829
West Tripura District 305 933.7 858 925 3022
Total 2020-21 19154 4267 2198 3011 28630
2021-22
North Tripura District 1215 452.3 390 126 2183
Sepahijala District 950 952.5 30 259.5 2192
South Tripura District 808 465.8 600 192.5 2066
Unakoti District 201 233.3 114.5 45 594
West Tripura District 320 911.8 440 812.5 2484
Total 2021-22 15563 4003 2039 2136 23739
Grand Total 53146 12053 6739 8142 80080
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Introduction to RKVY
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) launched by the Government of India in 2007 sought to provide
autonomy to the states in drawing up their plans to increase the allocation for agriculture in their State Plans and
to incentivize them with additional central assistance. This is in pursuance of the resolution adopted in the 53rd
meeting of the National Development Council on Agriculture and the related issues held on 29th May, 2007 and
also upon the observation and suggestion of the Accountant General (Audit), Tripura on the audit conducted for
the period of 11th Plan on RKVY implemented in Tripura State. The assistance through RKVY to State Plans is
administered by the Union Ministry of Agriculture over and above its existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes. The
RKVY encourages states to draw up plans for their agriculture sector more comprehensively by taking into account
local requirements, agro climatic conditions, cropping patterns, availability of natural resources, and technology
and integrating the allied sectors of livestock, poultry and fisheries so as to significantly increase the productivity
and maximize returns to farmers. Special schemes are introduced for the beneficiaries of land reforms.
Under RKVY the state is expected to formulate a state and district agriculture plans by taking into account the
resources available from the on-going schemes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP),
Integrated Dairy Development Programme (IDDP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNAREGA) and such other state and district plan that aim at projecting the requirements for the development
of agriculture and allied sectors. These plans were expected to present the financial requirement and the sources
of financing the agriculture development plans in a comprehensive way. Thus, the preparation of the state and
district agriculture plan was an elaborate and exhaustive exercise and every care is taken to ensure the CDAP is
properly and comprehensively made.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture and Cooperation), the scheme has been able
to meet its objectives to a large extent during the XI Plan period with rejuvenation of state agriculture through
RKVY project-based activities leading to agriculture growth of nearly 3.64 percent, despite two major droughts.
Further, by linking RKVY allocation with States plan expenditure on agriculture & allied sector, RKVY was able to
catalyse significant growth in percentage share of states’ allocation to agriculture and allied sectors from 4.88
percent (Rs 8770.16 crore) in 2006-07 to 6.04 percent (Rs. 22,158 crore) in 2011-12 and 6.33 percent (Rs. 36,720
crore) during 2012-13. In addition, introduction of sub schemes under RKVY window has helped to address
national priorities in chosen sectors / crops in a focused manner.
Based on feedback received from states, experiences garnered, and inputs provided by various stakeholders,
schemes eligible for funding under RKVY have undergone modifications to enhance efficiency, efficacy and
inclusiveness of the program. During 12th plan period Government of India has revised the guideline of the scheme
and issued new guideline in the year 2014. The states are required to submit the State Agriculture Plan and State
Agriculture Infrastructure Development Plan for 12th plan period. Up to the year 2014-15 the RKVY was
implemented with 100 percent support from central government, but from the year 2015-16 the funding pattern
has been changed to 60:40 ratio wherein central government would fund 60 percent of the requirement while 40
percent funding requirement has to be met from state government’s fund. Simultaneously as per the
recommendation of 14th Finance Commission, Government of India has also changed the name of RKVY to
RKVY-RAFTAAR (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna- Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector
Rejuvenation) and issued a new guideline in the year 2017 effective from the financial year 2017-18 to 2019-20.
This guideline also provides for the same pattern of creating necessary Infrastructure and Assets under the various
departments coming under agriculture and allied sectors. According to the guideline -2017, the total allocation has
been divided into various categories as given below:
Allocation: 70% Allocation: 30%
A. Infrastructure & Assets
a) Pre-harvest Infrastructure – 20% A. Special Sub Scheme on National Priorities – 20%
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C. Flexi Funds – 20%
8%
02%
The Administrative Expenditure has been included in the 70% share over and above the total cost of projects under the
category A, B and C.
1.2 Focus of RKVY RAFTAAR
The RKVY-RAFTAAR guidelines indicate that the major focus has been given on infrastructure development
based on pre-harvest and post-harvest requirements. The value addition of various agriculture and horticulture
produce has also been given due emphasis. Based on these focused areas, interventions and detailed action
plans along with the budget must be prepared. Few innovative schemes as per the felt needs of the stakeholders
can also be proposed under RKVY RAFTAAR. Strengthening of market infrastructure and marketing development,
strengthening of infrastructure to promote Extension Services, activities relating to enhancement of horticultural
production and popularization of micro irrigation systems, animal husbandry and fisheries development activities,
organic and bio-fertilizers, and Innovative schemes etc. have also been given due emphasis in such a way that no
agriculture or allied activities are left uncovered.
1.3 Objectives of SAIDP
RKVY-RAFTAAR aims at making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmer’s
efforts, risk mitigation and promoting agri-business entrepreneurship. Accordingly, the main objectives of
preparing the State Agriculture Infrastructure Development Plan are as follows:
a) To strengthen the farmers’ efforts through creation of required pre and postharvest agri-infrastructure that
increases access to quality inputs, storage, market facilities etc. and enables farmers to make informed
choices.
b) To provide autonomy, flexibility to States to plan and execute schemes as per local/ farmers’ needs.
c) To promote value chain addition linked production models that will help farmers increase their income as
well as encourage production/productivity
d) To mitigate risk of farmers with focus on additional income generation activities – like integrated farming,
mushroom cultivation, bee keeping, aromatic plant cultivation, floriculture etc.
e) To attend national priorities through several sub-schemes.
f) To empower youth through skill development, innovation and agri-entrepreneurship based agribusiness
models that attract them to agriculture.
To achieve the above objectives of RKVY- RAFTAAR; the methodology as detailed below is followed to carry out
a detailed analysis of the status of agricultural and allied sectors in different aspects and to prepare SAIDP along
with the budget for the promotion of infrastructure in the state. The State Agriculture Infrastructure Development
Plan (SAIDP) covers the status of infrastructure for agriculture and allied sectors in the state. This also focuses on
proposals for developing the infrastructure for development of farming sector.
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1.4 Approach and Methodology
The SAIDP is prepared for the state of Tripura by involving various stakeholders of agriculture and allied sectors.
Unlike other planning process, the SAIDP exercise is a participatory bottom up planning. The information of the
status, issues confronting and the proposals for planning are carried out primarily at the state level with certain
district specific interventions. Subsequently, the district proposals are added to the state level proposals. In this
process all the line departments concerning the agricultural development were taken into reckoning. The
department of agriculture played the pivotal role and steered the whole process. At every stage all the stakeholders
such as farmers, those who deal with the inputs and outputs of agriculture, related agencies, institutions etc. were
consulted in identifying not only the problems, adequacy or otherwise of the present status and also in coming out
with the new proposals for the plan period.
The norms prescribed by the RKVY -RAFTAAR guidelines (in 2017) have been followed for the purpose. Given
the past plans proposed, and the changed situations, this report is based on secondary published and public
domain data to make it more realistic and pragmatic in addition to the data provided by some line departments.
The specific steps and methods adopted for SAIDP preparation are as follows:
• Hiring of qualified and competent consultancy firm to assist the department in preparation of SAIDP;
• State Level Consultation Meeting to issue necessary directives to the district level officers in providing
required information to the consultants;
• District Level Consultation Meeting to orient all the participating line departments;
• Collection of C-DAP. SAP and other required data for preparation of SAIDP
• Collation of district level data and analysis for assessing the gap between availability and requirement of
infrastructure.
o Chapter 1: Introduction
o Chapter 3: Development of Agriculture Sector
o Chapter 4: Development of Allied Agricultural Sectors
o Chapter 5: Detailed Plan
The SAIDP is an integrated and participatory plan. All the stakeholders of agriculture and allied sectors are
consulted while preparing these plans. At district level, the requirement for all the participating departments has
been assessed to ensure overall development of farming sector.
1.5 Methodology of assessing cost of infrastructure proposed in the SAIDP
The cost for infrastructure has been assessed based on
• Estimated the cost with the help of DD Agriculture/ SA Agriculture/ DD Horticulture/ DD ARDD and DD
Fisheries
• By reviewing the trend in cost of similar projects maintained with the respective departments
• Cost estimates with engineering wing of Agriculture, Horticulture, ARDD and Fisheries
• Estimates from Annual Plan of Agriculture, Horticulture, RKVY Annual State Plan, Previous Tenders,
MIDH Guidelines
• Calculations based on Average costs of implements.
There has been higher cost of projects in remote and hilly areas as compared to accessible areas. Accordingly,
respective department down the hierarchy has estimated. Annual inflation has been considered for projecting the
costs down the years. A 10% has annual increased has been considered.
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State Level:
2. Directorate of Horticulture & Soil Conservation
3. Fisheries Department
5. PWD Water Resource
7. Disease Investigation Laboratory
11. Apex Society of Fishery Cooperatives
12. Department of Handloom, Handicraft and Sericulture
13. Gomati Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited
Officer Consulted during State Level Consultations
Department Post Name of the Officer
Agriculture
Asst. Director Vishnu Chakarvarthy
Fisheries Nodal Officer RKVY Samir Malla
ARDD
AD Statistics Jaganath Banik
AD Dairy Probir Pal
SDIL Joint Director Nilay Kumar Das
Sericulture Deputy Director Nimai Murasing
Pradeep Kumar Saha
ARS Director PB Jamatia
District Date of Visit
Gomati 1st July
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West Tripura 4th to 6th July
From 7th July to 17th July Visits to State department offices, meeting with district officials and follow up visits in
districts was done for discussion, data collection and infrastructure planning.
Districts/ Departments ARDD Fisheries Horticulture Agriculture
Unakoti Kailasahar Kumaraghat Kumaraghat Kailasahar
North Tripura Dharmnagar Dharmnagar Dharmnagar Dharmnagar
Dhalai Ambassa Ambassa Ambassa Ambassa
Khowai khowai khowai khowai khowai
West Tripura Agartala Agartala Agartala Agartala
Sepahijala Bishramganj Rastarmatha Vishalgarh Bishramganj
Gomti Udaipur Udaipur Udaipur Udaipur
South Tripura Belonia Belonia Shantirbazar Belonia
Deputy Directors Consulted during District Level Consultations
Districts/ Departments
Gopal Sherapa Debanand Dev
B Roy Sumiran Sinha
Dhalai Sandip Shom Arun Bhattacharya Debabrata Bhowmik Vibhuti Bhusan Das
Khowai Sangram Das Kashinath Das Krishna Hari Radheshyam Das
West Tripura Dipankar Dey Utpal Dhar Ashok Deberrama Dr Subrotosukladas
Sepahijala Nil Mohan Biswas Shantanu Debeberma
SS Jamatia Dr Anjan Saha
Gomti Goutam Majumdar Jeeban Das Swapan Chowdhry Amulya Debnath
South Tripura Manik Lal Hirendra Deberma Sukesh Ch Majumder Prasad Das
District Fisheries Officers
Dhalai Apu Das
Khowai Nirupam Das
North Samar Jamatia
Gomati Mrinoymee Datta
Sepahijala Jhutan Das
Subdivision Level:
Khowai
Talshikhar Swapan Debbarma
Padmabil Arabinda Debbarma
Sector Description of Infrastructure
Tissue culture Lab / Units
Creation of Water Resources (Community Tank/ farm Pond / On farm water resources with plastic / RCC lining/ water storage structures)
Creation of value resources and protected cultivation (Green House/ Poly House/ Shed Net House Infrastructure)
Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary Infrastructure
INM / IPM infrastructure such as Disease forecasting units, plants health clinics, Leaf / Tissue analysis Lab, Bio Control Lab.
Certification of GAP (Good Agriculture practices), including infrastructure.
Vermi Compost Units
Cold Storage / Pre-Cooling / Refrigerated Van, Cold chain Infrastructure
Ripening / Curing Chambers
Primary / Minimal Processing Units
Terminal / Wholesale / rural Market
Preservation Units (low Cost) Warehouses
Low cost onion / garlic Storage, Pusa zero energy cool chambers
Horticulture Mechanization (Tractor and Power Tillers are not allowed)
Marketing Infrastructure for horticulture produce.
Pack House, Reefer vans
Infrastructure related to Horticulture Produce processing as per Ministry of Food processing Industries (MoFPI) guideline.
Natural Resource Management
Soil and Water Conservation activities (Terracing, Gully control measures, Spill way, Check Dams, Spurs, Diversion Drains, Protection wall etc.
Reclamation of problem soils (Acid, Alkali, Saline, Ravine, Waterlogged)
Pest Management and Pesticides Quality Control
labs for production of Bio Control agents
State Pesticide Residue Testing Lab
Bio Pesticide Testing Lab
Soil Nutrients Management
Strengthening of existing soil testing Labs with micronutrients testing facilities.
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Strengthening of existing FQCL.
Bio Fertilizer / Organic Farming
Setting up of state of art liquid / carrier-based Bio Fertilizer / Bio Pesticides Units
Setting up of Bio Fertilizers and Organic Fertilizer quality control Lab. (BOQCL)
Strengthening of BOQCL
Setting up of mechanized fruit / vegetable market waste/ Agro waste compost production unit
Setting up of Input Production unit
Promotion of Organic Input on farmers field (Manure, Vermi Compost, Bio Fertilizer Liquid / Solid waste compost, Herbal extract etc.
Integrated Manure Management
Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM)
Vermi Compost
Animal Husbandry
Breeding Farm
Vaccine production Units
Animal Ambulance
Tractor fitted with fodder block machine
Carcass rendering plant to collect the fallen animals for processing, utilization in scientific manner.
Modernization of animal slaughterhouse and market for livestock / livestock products.
Establish / Strengthening of cold chain infrastructure for storage of Veterinary Biological.
Establishment / Strengthening of check post / Quarantine camps for restriction of animal movement, Strengthening of animal disease reporting system.
Dairy
Purchase of Milking Machines (Single/ Double buckets)
Setting up of Milk Chilling / Bulk Milk Coolers Centers (BMC) along with automatic milk collection units.
Setting up / Modernization / Strengthening of milk processing units.
Strengthening / Expansion of Cold Storage facility for milk and milk product.
Purchase of Insulated / refrigerated transport vehicle
Setting up of Milk parlor/ booth
Strengthening of Lab facility in milk chilling / processing units.
Establishment of cattle feed storage go-down.
Establishment / Strengthening of cattle feed plant
Establishment of cattle shed for milch animals.
Setting / Strengthening of ETP at milk chilling / processing units.
Fisheries
Market Infrastructure Facilities including Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs)
Construction of specialized storage facilities like Onion Storage Godown.
Electronic trading including spot and future market and E - auctioning
Farmers Service Centers
Grading including line
Seed Certification Agencies and Certification Infrastructures
Seed Multiplication Farms.
Agriculture Machines Testing Centers
Establishment of post-harvest technology units for primary processing units and value addition.
Use of Solar Energy in Agriculture i.e. Solar Pumps, Solar Dryers, Solar energy in green houses.
Development of Modern Farm of Agriculture Mechanization at
Government / SAUs level for demonstration.
Training, Demonstration, Distribution of Agriculture Machinery and establishment of Custom Hiring Centers for Straw Management.
Agriculture Extension
Kisan Call Centers
ATMA Infrastructure at State, District and Block level as per following details: - State level support for creating essential infrastructure at SIAET. District Level: Support for creating separate building for District ATMA to operate extension related activities within the district. Block Level: Support for creating essential infrastructure for the Block ATMA cell for convening regular meetings of BTT, BFAC, and offices for BTM, ATM etc.
Knowledge / Technology Resource Centers
SIAET Infrastructure
Skill Development in Agriculture: Organization of National Skill Qualification framework compliance skill development courses developed by Agriculture Skill Council of India, of minimum 200hrs duration for fresh entrants. Reskilling courses and assessment of candidates through recognition of prior learning process prescribed by Ministry of Skill Development and entrepreneurship / ASCI for the farmers, farm women, Rural Youth. These courses are to be organized by Institute of DAC & FW, DAHD&F, ICAR Institutes, SAUs, KVKs and SAMETIs and institutes under state agriculture and allied department. Funding for organization of Skill Development workshops, bringing out of short films, media publicity for promotion of skill development, carrying out of skill gap analysis study, impact analysis study hand holding support etc.
Credit and Cooperation
Use of Arial Vehicle (UAV/ DRONE) for assessment of cropped area, crop losses, crop health monitoring etc.
Set up and maintenance of Automatic Weather Station, Automatic Rain gauge Station for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna / Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme
Agriculture Research
Research Infrastructure
Minor / Macro Irrigation
Shallow Well and Dug Wells
Tube Wells (Except in Dark/ Gray/ critical Zones identified by CGWB)
Percolation and Minor Irrigation Tank.
Farm Ponds
Field Channel
Strengthening and development of Infrastructure of state Milk Federation, SAUs, Veterinary University Farms, for fodder seeds and fodder production, training and demonstration.
Infrastructure for fodder demonstration for livestock-based farming system approach.
Establishment of Silage making units.
Fodder blocks making units with fortified maize / paddy straw
Bailing machine of harvested crops / plant residues.
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Strengthening and development of Infrastructure of State / Milk Federation/ SAUs/ Veterinary University farms/ Fodder production, training and Demonstration.
Infrastructure for Azolla production.
By-Pass protein units.
Feed making and production units
Feed pelleting units
Infrastructure for Feed Testing Lab.
Note:- This list is indicative and not exhaustive.
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Tripura, erstwhile princely state, merged with the Indian Union after independence on 15th October 1949 and
became a Union Territory without a legislature with effect from November 1, 1956 and a popular ministry was
installed in Tripura on July 1, 1963. Tripura became a fully-fledged State on the 21st January 1972 and is the third
smallest State of the Country, located in the North Eastern Region.
The State is surrounded by the neighbouring country Bangladesh on its south, west and north. The length of its
international border with Bangladesh is about 856 km (i.e. about 84 percent of its total border), while it has 53 km
border with Assam and 109 km border with Mizoram. Forest area is over 60 percent of its land use statistics and
predominant, leaving only 27 percent land for agricultural cultivation. A large part of the land is up-land / tilla land
and hilly, with altitudes varying from 15 to 940 meters above sea level, though majority of the population lives in
the plains. The state is connected with the rest of the Country by National Highway-44, which runs through the
hilly terrains of Cachar District in Assam followed by zigzag roads of hilly regions of Meghalaya and then to
Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, via Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya.
The Government of Tripura has reorganised the administrative units in 2012 by creating 4-new Districts, 6-new
Sub-Divisions and 5-new Blocks in-order to further decentralise the administration for better and effective delivery
of services and effective implementation and monitoring of the development programmes. The State has now 8-
Districts, 23-Sub-Divisions, 58-Blocks and 1-Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) created
under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The prominent hill ranges of the State are Jampui, Sakhantang, Longtharai, Atharamura, Baramura, Deotamura,
Belkum and Kalajhari. Betling Shib (939 meters), situated in the Jampui Range, is the highest peak of Tripura.
The important forest products include sal, teak, gamai, gurjan and champa. The Gumati, Howrah, Dhalai, Muhuri,
Feni and Juri are the major rivers which swell in monsoon but become shallow during the rest of the year.
Tripura has a tropical climate and receives adequate rainfall during the monsoons. The State is situated between
latitudes 22°56' and 24°32' North, and longitudes 90°09' and 92°20' East. It has an area of 10,491.69 sq. km. It
has diverse range of topography, people, flora and fauna. Local flora and fauna bear a very close affinity and
resemblance with floral and faunal components of Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese sub-regions. The State is in
the bio-geographic zone of 9B-North-East hills and possesses an extremely rich biodiversity. There are 266-
species of medicinal plants, 379-tree species, 320-shrubs, 581-herbs, 165-climbers, 16-climbing shrubs, 35-ferns,
45-epiphytes and 4-parasites. Moreover, there are 50-species endemic to Tripura. 2-primitive plants and 7-
endangered plants are also found in Tripura. There are 90 mammal species in Tripura.
2.2 Demographic Profile of the state
The state is home to about 36.7 lakh people, among them about 18.7 lakh (51%) are male and about 18 lakhs
(49%) are female. Around 50 percent of the whole population comprise of general caste, 18 percent are from
schedule caste and 32 percent are schedule tribes. Child (aged under 6 years) population of Tripura is to the tune
of 12 percent, among them 51 percent are boys and 49 percent are girls. There are about 8.6 lakh households in
the state and an average 4 persons live in every family.
Table 1: Caste wise male female population 2011 - Tripura
Gender Total General Schedule Caste Schedule Tribe Child
Male 1,874,376 951,679 334,370 588,327 234,008
Female 1,799,541 900,507 320,548 578,486 224,006
Total 3,673,917 1,852,186 654,918 1,166,813 458,014
Source: Census of India, 2011
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Most of the population, nearly 74 percent (about 27.1 lakh) live in the rural areas of the state while 26 percent
(about 9.6 lakh) population live in the urban areas of the state. Rural population density of Tripura state is 269 and
urban population density is 2453 persons per km2.
Population of the state has increased by 14.8 percent in last 10 years. In 2001 census total population of Tripura
was about 32 lakhs. Female population growth rate of the state is 15.6 percent which is 1.5 percent higher than
male population growth rate of 14.1 percent. General caste population has increased by 12.3 percent; Schedule
caste population has increased by 17.8 percent; Schedule Tribe population has increased by 17.5 percent and
child population has increased by 4.9 percent in the state since last census.
Figure 1: Population distribution of Tripura (in Lakh)
As of 2011 census there are 960 females per 1000 male in the state of Tripura. Sex ratio in general caste is 946,
in schedule caste is 959 and in schedule tribe is 983. There are 957 girls under 6 years of age per 1000 boys of
the same age in the state. Overall sex ratio in the state has increased by 12 females per 1000 male during the
years from 2001 to 2011. Child sex ratio here has decreased by 9 girls per 1000 boys during the same time.
Table 2: Change in literacy rate 2001 to 2011 - Tripura
Census Total Male Female
2011 87.2% 91.5% 82.7%
2001 73.2% 81% 64.9%
Change 14.0% 10.5% 17.8%
Source: Census of India, 2011
Around 28 lakh people in the state are literate, among them about 15 lakhs are male and about 13 lakhs are
female. Literacy rate (children under 6 are excluded) of the state is 87 percent. The male literacy rate of Tripura
is higher at 92 percent than female literacy rate of 83 percent. Overall literacy rate in the state has increased by
14 percent during the last ten years. While the male literacy has gone up by 11 percent only, the female literacy
rate has gone up by 18 percent during the same period (2001-2011).
2.3 Physiographic Features of the state
Tripura is predominantly a hilly state. About 60% of its land is hilly, while the remaining 40% is plain land. Even
the plain land is not a dead level land rather it is broken by many low hills and tillas of 30-60 metres in elevation,
1 9
1 0
Male Female Total
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covered with trees and shrubs. The topography is immature. The major geomorphic elements observed in the
area are both structural and topographic ‘highs’ and ‘depressions’, ‘flats’ and ‘slopes’, sculptured on the
topographic surface in a linear and areal fashion. In Tripura, the topographic highs and lows are in accordance
with the normal first order structural elements. The ground rises from west to east. The general elevation varies
between 780 m in the north eastern part to 15 m in the west.
The state is dissected by a number of broad and long valleys, viz., Agartala-Udaipur-Sabrum, Khowai-Telimura-
Amarpur-Silachari, Kamalpur-Ambasa-Candachara, Kailashar-Kumarghat, Dharmanagar-Panisagar and so on.
These valleys are located between the N-S trending parallel to sub-parallel antiformal hill ranges (topographic
highs), such as the Baramura Deotamura Ranges, the Atharamura Range, the Langtarai Range and the
Shakantang anticlinal ranges. These strike ridges form the watershed of the Meghna basin of Bangladesh fed by
the ten major rivers of Tripura and River Khowai is one of them. According to the Geological Survey of India, there
are ten physiographic units in the state.
• Steeping slopping and slightly dissected high relief structural hills and ridges exemplified by areas like
Kailashahar, Panisagar, Baramura, Teliamura, etc.
• Moderately slopping with moderately dissected medium relief parallel ridges present in north and north-
eastern part of Tripura.
• Moderately slopping and highly dissected, low relief structural hills and ridges found in the northwest and
southern part of the state.
• Moderately to gently sloping and moderately dissected flat-topped denuded hill occurring in western,
central and southern part of Tripura.
• Low lying residual hill with valley represented by Gandachhara area of south-eastern part of Tripura.
• Undulating plain with low mounds and gently sloping valley situated mostly in the western and southern
part of Tripura
• Moderately to gently sloping inter-hill valley with upland mostly occurring on the northern- eastern and
southern part of the state.
• Moderately to gently sloping inter-hill valleys with alluvial upland plains, represented by Kumarghat-
Chailengta area as alluvial deposit of the River Manu.
• Rolling upland common in some pockets of the west and north-western part of Tripura.
• Flood plain constitutes an important area formed by the rivers of Tripura.
2.4 Soil Profile of the state
The soil types of Tripura can be classified under five major groups, of which Red loam and sandy loam soil
occupies 43.07 percent of the total area followed by Reddish yellow brown sandy soils (33.06%), the other three
groups occupy less than 10 percent each. The occurrence of different soil groups can be correlated with
topographical variations, land slope, climate, vegetation cover and present rock material. Dutta et.al. (1982)
provided a detailed document of Soil of North Eastern Region including Tripura and showed the association of
variable taxonomic units under each of the soil group.
Table 3: Soil Profile of Tripura
Soil Group Area
Soil Taxonomic Unit Sq.Km. Percent
Reddish yellow brown sandy soils 3,468 33.06 a) Ultic Hapludalfs b) Udic Ustochrepts c) Typic Udorthents
Red loam and sandy loam soils 4,514 43.07
a) Ultic HaplustaIfs b) Typic/Ultic Hapludalfs c) Typic PaleudaIfs d) Typic Ustochrepts e) Typic Drystochrepts
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f) Udic Ustochrepts g) Typic U.stochrepts
Older alluvial soils 1019 9.71 a) Typic OchraquaJfs b) Typic Haplaquepts
Younger alluvial soils 980 9.34 a) Typic Udifluvents
Lateritic soils 510 4.86
a) Typic Palehumults b) Typic Plinthustults c) Typic Plinthudults d) Typic Paleudults
The soil of Tripura belongs to five orders, seven suborders, nine Great Groups, and 19 subgroups. The soil orders
are Inceptisols, Entisols, Ultisols, Alfisols, and Histosols which occupy 80, 9, 7, 5 and 0.2 per cent respectively.
Erosion, drainage, flooding and waterlogging are the major soil problems in the state. Two categories of soil
degradation processes are recognized in Tripura. The first relates to degradation by displacement of soil material,
principally by water erosion. An assessment of soil degradation in Tripura indicates that 6.28 lakh ha (about 60
per cent of TGA) is affected by different types of degradation, of which water erosion predominates.
Table 4: Status of Soil Reaction in different districts of Tripura State (area in hectare)
Class West South Dhalai North State
Extremely acidic 17,419.5 (5.81%)
82,239 (38.21%)
55,311 (21.67%)
28,090 (9.96%)
256,678.7 (24.46%)
Source: State Agriculture Plan, Tripura
The soil of Tripura is acidic in nature ranging from slightly acidic (6.1 to 6.5) to extremely acidic (<4.5). More than
49 percent of the area of the state falls under strongly acidic category (5.1 to 5.5). The organic carbon content is
moderate. Majority of the soil (36 percent of the state) have medium status (280 to 450 kg/hectare). Soils have
low phosphorus content (33 percent). Due to acidic nature phosphorous is fixed with Al and Fe. Most of the soils
are rated as medium (140 to 340 kg/hectare). Soils are sufficient in terms of availability of Iron and Manganese
content. More than 16 per cent area of the state is deficient (<0.5 mg/kg) in terms of available Zinc. The soil of
Tripura (33 percent area) is also deficient in terms of available copper (1.0 mg/kg).
2.5 Water Resources in the state
Tripura has a total geographical area of 7,878.76 hectares under water bodies. Gomati district has highest share
with 37 percent closely followed by Dhalai with 30 percent of total state’s water resources. The remaining districts
have a small proportion of area under water resource that includes South with 3 percent, North with 4 percent,
Unakoti with 3 percent and Sepahijala with 3 percent. Rivers, canals, and reservoirs are the major source of water
in Tripura. There are seven rivers flowing through the state viz., Gomati, Manu, Haora, Burima, Khowai, Dhalai,
and Juri. Ground water resources have remained constant over the years with availability of total 2.19 Billion Cubic
Meter (BCM) per year. Sources wise water spread area (WSA) in the Districts of Tripura is given in table below;
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Table 5: Sources wise water spread area (WSA) in the Districts of Tripura
Name of District
Less than 40 Ha. More than 40 Ha
No WSA (ha) No. WSA (ha) No. WSA (ha) No. KM
North 22,588 2,866.8 0 0 0 0 1 79
Unakoti 14,869 1,910.82 0 0 0 0 1 140
Dhalai 23,385 3,767.04 0 0 Half 1,524.67 2 125.85
Khowai 21,753 2,787.13 0 0 0 0 1 166
West 21,707 2,446.42 0 0 0 0 1 35.9
Sepahijala 25,699 3,376.38 0 0 0 0 1 50
Gomti 25,720 4,490.93 0 0 Half 1,524.67 1 163.4
South 29,779 3,058.52 0 0 0 0 2 142.8
Grand Total 185,500 24,704.04 0 0 1 3,049.34 10 902.95 Source: State Agriculture Plan, Tripura
2.6 Agro Climatic Profile
Tripura being a hilly and mountainous region, due to change in topographical features of the region which causes
change in climatic conditions in the state. The state records a low average temperature of 10 degree Celsius in
the winter season which rises to maximum average of 35 degree Celsius in the summer. The state influences a
monsoonal climate with the well demarcated sub-tropical and temperate zones. The climate along with the other
factors of the terrain and the soil are suitable conditions for horticulture in the state of Tripura. The horticultural
sector is dependent on the seasonal rainfall that dominates the seasons of Tripura.
The state of Tripura influences four distinguishable seasons. The winter prevails from the month of December to
February. The months of March and April witness the pre-monsoon season. The longest season of the state is the
monsoon season that continues between the months of May to September. Tripura receives maximum rainfall in
the month of June (around 26 percent of total rainfall). The state records an average annual rainfall of 2100 mm.
The total number of rainy days is 81. Kamalpur in Tripura receives the maximum amount of rainfall of 2855 mm
while Sonamura receives the lowest average of 1811 mm.
Based on the variability in rainfall (P), Potential evapotranspiration (PE), actual evapotranspiration (AE), relation
between P and PE, AE and PE and length of growing period (LGP) for normal cropping system, the entire terrain
of Tripura has been divided into eight agro-ecological zones.
Table 6: Agro Climatic Zones in Tripura
Name of the ACZ
Major Soils Rainfall Major Crops Districts/ Region
Mild Tropical plain zone code no- 127
15bi-46,875 15bii-38,750 15bii (i)-1,875 17 a-96,300 17 a (i)-27,500 Total - 2,11,300
Inceptisols, Entisol, Ultisols
North
Mild Tropical plain zone code no- 127
15a- 4,375 15bi-25,625 15bii-137,194 15bii (i)-15,000 17 a-43,750 17 a (i)-5,625
2,232 mm Rice (Aus & Aman), Vegetable (Kharif & Rabi), pineapple, banana
Dhalai
Major Soils Rainfall Major Crops Districts/ Region
Total - 231,569
Inceptisols, Ultisols, Alfisols
Rice (Aman & Boro), vegetable (Kharif & Rabi), pineapple, mango, banana, coconut
West
2,678 mm
Rice (Aman & Boro), vegetable (Kharif & Rabi), pineapple, mango, banana, cashew nut, coconut
South
2.7 Economic Profile of the state
Tripura is primarily an agrarian State, with about 42 percent of the population depending on agriculture and allied
activities. However, only about 27 percent of the land is cultivable, rest being hilly and forested. Rice is the major
crop in the State. The climate of the State is suitable for a variety of horticultural/ plantation crops, including
pineapple, jackfruit, tea, rubber, bamboo etc. A section of the indigenous population practices jhum (slash and
burn) method of cultivation.
Economy of Tripura is basically agrarian and characterized by high rate of poverty, low per-capita income, low
capital formation, inadequate infrastructural facilities, geographical isolation, communication bottleneck,
inadequate exploitation, inadequate use of forest and mineral resources, low progress in industrial field and high
un-employment problem. More than 42 percent of its population now directly depends on agriculture & allied
activities.
The latest Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) with a more recent new 2011-12 base with the revised
methodology, data base and additional area coverage shows that contribution of primary sector has been
increased to 43 percent in 2016-17 and 47 percent in 2017-18 (Provisional), although the land available for
agricultural cultivation is relatively restricted in the State. This trend is observed in both the estimates prepared by
Central Statistics Office, New Delhi and the Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Tripura.
The average annual growth rate in real terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at new 2011-12 prices or
in real terms for 2016-17 was 8.7 percent and 9 percent in 2017-18 (Provisional). The Gross State Domestic
Product (GSDP) at current prices with a recent new 2011-12 base at current prices increased from Rs.19,208.41
crore in 2011-12 to Rs.46132.88 crore in 2017-18 (Provisional). The per capita income of the State with a recent
new 2011-12 base also rose steadily from Rs.47,079 in 2011-12 to Rs.105044 in 2017-18 (Provisional).
Tripura is industrially backward and main reasons for its backwardness are geographical isolation as well as poor
road and railway connectivity with the mainland of India. Low availability of infrastructure has made the process
of economic development and decentralization extremely difficult in the State. Liberalisation and reforms of the
Indian economy started in 1990s with the proclaimed objective to accelerate industrial growth as well as
maintaining the inclusive growth in the country has not given the much-needed boost for industrialisation in the
State. The data of 6th Economic Census indicates a rise in economic establishments between 2005 and 2013 in
the State, which are basically own account establishments, i.e., without hiring any workers. Over an intervening
period of about 8 years between 5th Economic Census, 2005 and 6th Economic Census, 2013, the total number
of establishments in Tripura has increased from 1,89,423 in 2005 to 2,36,773 in 2013 registering an overall growth
of 25 percent during the period.
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2.8 Workers Profile of the state
According 2011 census, 40 percent (about 14.7 lakh) population of the state is engaged in either main or marginal
works. Around 56 percent male and 24 percent female population are working population. Also, 47 percent of total
male population are main (full time) workers and 8 percent are marginal (part time) workers. For women 11 percent
of total female population are main and 13 percent are marginal workers.
The economy of Tripura is primarily agrarian in nature. The agriculture and its allied activities contribute nearly 18
per cent to the state’s Net Domestic Product (NDP). Agriculture in Tripura includes traditional Jhum (shifting)
cultivation. Agriculture and allied activities (like fisheries, animal husbandry, forest-based livelihoods, etc.) provide
a substantial part of the economic output and employment in the state. In fact, over 50 per cent of the total main
workers depend on farm-based work, with agricultural labourers forming a substantial part of the same. However,
the availability of cultivable land is limited to just over a quarter of the total geographical area of the state. Over 90
per cent of the farmers belong to the categories of small and marginal farmers, with low land holdings.
2.9 Land Use & Land Holding Pattern in the state
Out of the total area of 10.5 lakh hectare, the forest area comprises of 6.29 lakh hectare i.e. 60 percent of the total
area of the state. The second largest category of land user is Agriculture which occupies 24.3 percent of the total
geographical area of the state. Only 14.1 percent land has been classified under Land Put to Non-Agri Uses.
Table 7: Land Use Pattern in Tripura
Particulars Area in Ha. Percentage
Total Geographical Area 1049169 100%
Forest Area 629426 60.0%
Culturable Waste 2878 0.27%
Land Under Misc. Tree Crops and Groves 10423 0.99%
Current Fallows 890 0.08%
Area Sown more than once 231675
Gross Cropped Area 486770
Source: Statistics Division, Department of Agriculture, Tripura
Fragmentation of land holding continues as a part of social phenomenon. The average size of holding has declined
from 1.25 hectares in 1976–77 to 0.97 hectares in 1990–1991, which is the lowest amongst the seven sisters of the
Northeast Region. The operational holdings in the state, as available from the data of Agricultural census, 2010–
11, has further declined to 0.53 hectares in 2011.
According to agricultural census 2011, 95 per cent of the total operational holdings in the state is below the size
of 2 hectares and they operate 75 percent of the operated area. In other words, only 5 percent of operational
holdings are in the size class of 2 hectares and above with 25 percent of operated area. The average size of
operational holdings has been declined in the state over the years, and it declined from 1.07 hectares in 1980–81
to 1.02 hectares in 1985–86 further to 0.97 hectares in 1990–91, 0.60 hectares in 1995–96, and 0.53 hectares in
2010–11. About 32 percent of operational holdings belong to scheduled tribes (ST) and 15 percent operational
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holdings belong to scheduled tribes (SC) communities of the state. There are 247,380 marginal and 40,409 small
farmers in Tripura.
Development Vision for the state
Keeping in view the new perspective plan of Tripura, Comprehensive State Agriculture plan has been
proposed for the period extending up to 2020 by efficient utilization of available natural resources (sector-
wise).
Extensive agriculture by converting areas under mono/double cropped into triple cropped where irrigation
facility can be provided.
Promoting integrated livestock, fishery, and farming system at household level.
Gainful utilization of forest land for sustainable farming and livelihood on which rights were vested with
tribal forest dwellers.
Area under System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to be increased.
Popularizing hybrid paddy and maize cultivation to increase productivity.
To put the economy on a sustainable growth path with a growth rate of about 8 per cent or above by the
end of the plan to create productive employment at a faster pace and increase the annual agricultural
growth at 4.5 per cent.
The vision is aimed to reduce the poverty and disparity by ensuring access to basic and fundamental
needs.
To sufficiently improve the income of the general people and bring about an improvement in their living
condition.
Self-sufficiency in food, feed, fodder, vegetable, fish, dairy products, meat, and egg.
Nutritional and economic security.
Modernisation of markets and marketing system.
Maximisation of water use efficiency and harvesting rainwater.
Development Strategy for the State
Realistic and time bound resource-based planning and mobilization of all resources.
To ensure self-sufficiency in the food grain production and development of allied sector thrust will be given
on the extension of irrigation, adequate credit flow, timely availability of seeds and fertilizers, improve the
seed replacement rate, transfer of the tested farming technologies such as dryland farming know-how in
collaboration with ICAR development of infrastructure along with the development of a strong extension
network.
Appropriate use of available land and water resources.
Wise and judicious use of the cultivable land available without compromising development of the state.
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The stage, pace and level of growth and development of any sector primarily depends on the availability of
facilitating infrastructure. Infrastructure matters a lot for growth which is well recognized and widely understood
amongst researchers and policy makers. The Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum has
considered the quality of infrastructure as one of the critical components to determine the competitiveness of a
country. In general, infrastructure investments require large tracts of land and are also capital intensive. They have
long gestation period for both implementation and operations phase necessitating long duration for realizing the
expected returns on the project. Infrastructure is the mainstay of primary sector, industries, services, urban
development, skill development and social empowerment. Some key facts on infrastructure development are as
follows:
• Infrastructure accelerates annual growth convergence rates by as much as 13 per cent while increasing
per capita annual growth rate by almost 1 per cent (African Development Bank).
• Multiplier effect of investments in core infrastructure generate economic returns of between 5 to 25 per
cent (World Economic Forum).
• An additional 1 per cent of GDP invested in transport and communications on a sustained basis increases
the GDP per capita growth rate by 0.6 per cent (African Development Bank).
• Quality infrastructure reduces income inequalities and parities by fostering economic growth (empirical
research by Ramon Lopez).
Tripura is one among the geographically isolated parts of the country which lacks many facilitating infrastructures
required for the development of the economy. It is in this context; it will be very much essential to take stock of the
various types of infrastructure available for the core agriculture sector which is providing livelihoods to more than
50 percent households of the state. Generally, agriculture infrastructure refers to both individual and community /
institutions/ state owned facilities that aid in the progress of the sector. Within the individual owned facilities, there
are two types - one pertains to the infrastructure owned and controlled by the farmers, and the other pertains to
individuals who would support/ supplement the needs of farming community in production and value addition. The
major infrastructure categories for core agriculture sector, that refers to crops (cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fibre,
sugar, and other commercial crops not covered by horticulture sector), include facilities for resource productivity
maintenance, core inputs technology, production management, value addition, marketing among things.
3.1 General Infrastructure
Some of the infrastructure which have immense importance in development of the state are transportation,
communication, energy, banking, insurance, technology, etc. These infrastructures, however, directly increase the
productivity and the economy sees the impact immediately. They also lead to an immediate growth in the short
run.
3.1.1 Transport Infrastructure
Railway: From 2016, the rail connectivity has been extended to the capital city of Agartala through broad gauge.
From the year 2016, a train nammed 'Tripura Sundari Express' is running weekly from Agartala to Anand Vihar
Terminal, New Delhi, 'Kanchanjungha Express' is running 4 times in a week between Agartala to Kolkata,
‘Humsafar Express’ running weekly between Agartala to Bangaluru Cant, ‘Rajdhani Express’ running weekly
between Agartala to Anand Vihar Terminal, New Delhi, ‘Habibganj Express’ running weekly between Agartala to
Habibganj, ‘Deoghar Express’ running weekly between Agartala to Deoghar. Another train service towards
Agartala - Dharmanagar and Agartala - Silchar had already started. Broad-gauge railway network has been
extended up to Garji of Gomati District. The work for further extension of railway line from Garji to Sabroom into
broad gauge is going on.
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Air Services: The people of the State are dependent especially on the flights operating between Agartala-Kolkata
and Agartala-Guwahati. Besides, in recent years air connectivity with other sectors of the country have also been
improved from Agartala to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. The runway at Agartala Airport
has been extended to 7,500 feet and Instrument Landing System has been successfully installed which has made
night operations possible.
Road connectivity: The state of Tripura has 853 Km long National Highways and 1057 Km state highway. The
district roads in the state are 461 km in length. Village roads are maintained by Rural Development Department
as well as Public Works Department. The total length of the roads maintained by RD and PWD are 8159 km and
10665 km respectively. The length of India Bangladesh Border road in Tripura is 834 km which runs along the
border of Bangladesh and Tripura. There are 344 RCC Bridges, 441 Bailey Bridges, 24 SPT Bridges and 2365
RCC Slab/ Box Culverts. Railway has maintained a total road length of 210 Km in the state.
Table 8: Status of Road Infrastructure in Tripura
Category Length (in km.)
Village-roads (PWD) 10,665
SPT bridges (Nos.) 24
Railway road 210
Source: - PWD (R&B), Tripura.
Out of the total road length of 22,029 km in 2017-18, there were 13,120 km of black topped road, 5,808 km brick
soled road and remaining 3,101 km roads were earthen.
3.1.2 Communication Infrastructure
The communication system comprises of postal services, telegraph services, telephone services etc.
Communication facilities in the State have been growing steadily in recent years due to innovation in
communication technology. The postal and telecommunication facilities in the State have expanded in the
remotest Sub-divisions including Karbook, Gandachera, Kanchanpur, Longtharai valley.
Table 9: Coverage of BSNL Tripura
Sl. Particulars Numbers
3 WLL Exchanges 57
4 WLL Connections 31754
5 STD Booths 554
7 Cellular Services of BSNL Prepaid 351773
8 Cellular Services of BSNL Post-paid 24528
9 Cellular Towers of BSNL 706
10 Internet Lease Line Connections 42
Source: - BSNL, Tripura.
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The state of Tripura has 86 telephone exchanges maintained by BSNL. These 86 exchanges serve around 22009
landline connections. Also, there are 57 WLL exchanges serving 31754 WLL users. The number of STD booths
have been on decline and is limited to 554 only. Decline in number of booths is mainly on account of cheaper
availability of personal mobile phones. There are 3,51,773 prepaid connections and 24528 postpaid mobile
connections provided by BSNL. BSNL operates 706 cellular towers in Tripura. Including BSNL subscribers, the
state has 2761750 subscribers of Mobile Phone Connections as on March 2016.
Postal Services- The postal network is divided into two divisions in Tripura i) Agartala Division covering Sepahijala,
Gomati, South Tripura and West Tripura Districts and ii) Dharmanagar Division covering Dhalai, Khowai, Unakoti
and North. According to 2011 Census, there are 709 Post Offices functioning in the State.
3.1.3 Energy and Power
Electricity plays an important role in the economic & social development of a country. The progress in Power
Sector in Tripura despite geographical, economic and infrastructural hindrances has been quite encouraging.
Performance of important sectors, ranging from agriculture to commerce and industry, as also the performance of
social sectors like health, depends largely on the desired availability of quality and quantity power. In the modern
scientific world, consumption of electricity is the index of development or standards of living of the citizens.
The State has two sources of generation mainly, hydro and thermal. The State is endowed with natural gas, which
enhances potential for thermal power generation. Out of the two major sources of power generation, thermal power
accounts for 93.11 percent while remaining 6.89 percent is generated from Hydel Power (Gumti Power Project).
Peak demand of the State during 2017-18 was 306 MW. Own generation from three Generating Stations is 87
MW. The State meets the full peak demand after getting the enhanced share from OTPC, Palatana and NEEPCO,
Monarchak power and it makes Tripura a Power Surplus State. The demand of the State has been estimated to
be 310 MW at the end of 2018-19. Plan as proposed in 19th Electric Power Survey Report considering the demand
arising out of RGGVY and industrialization of the State, which would be met from the up-coming projects in the
region.
Situation 2017-18
From Central Sector 250 MW - 270 MW
Total Availability 335 MW – 360 MW
Shortfall Nil
Source: Power Department, Tripura
The installed capacity was 115.00 MW and total power generated within the State was 636.02 MU and power
purchased from Central Sector (Grid) was 2419.35 MU respectively during the year 2017-18. The total unit sold
to ultimate consumers of state in 2017-18 was 1270.89 MU at 132 KV Bus. Out of this, maximum power was sold
to Domestic consumers i.e. 508.65 MU followed by 126.45 MU for Irrigation / Public Water purposes, Commercial
consumption 84.24 MU and Industrial 48.29 MU.
Electrification of Villages
Out of 1178 Gram Panchayats in Tripura, 1176 Gram Panchayats have already been electrified till March 2018.
The two gram panchayats which were yet to be electrified (till March 2018) were from Dhalai district. The status
of electrified and un-electrified Gram Panchayat and Vilage Committee areas in Tripura as on 31st March 2018 is
presented in the following table;
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District
Khowai 55 69 124 55 69 124
West Tripura 87 85 172 87 85 172
Sipahijala 111 58 169 111 58 169
Dhalai 41 110 151 41 108 149
North Tripura 69 60 129 69 60 129
Unakoti 59 32 91 59 31 90
Gomati 70 103 173 70 103 173
South Tripura 99 70 169 99 70 169
Total 591 587 1178 591 585 1176
Source: - Power Department, Tripura.
3.1.4 Banking Network
Banking is one of the important instruments for economic development. A network of financial institutions helps
the economy to deploy its savings more efficiently. Financial institutions include banks, insurance companies,
provident and pension funds, mutual funds, savings banks and security markets. The structure of the financial
system in the State is mainly base on public sector banks, provident and pension funds and insurance companies.
Public sector banks have also expanded their network particularly during last two to three decades. In 1969, there
were five Scheduled Nationalised Commercial Bank branches, which served an average population of 2,76,000
per bank branch. In March 2007, there were 186-Scheduled Nationalised Commercial Bank branches in the State
serving an average population of 18,655 per commercial bank branches.
The Census 2011 data reveals that proportion of households availing banking services in the State was 26.5
percent that is low compare to all India level of 35.5 percent. The following table shows the distribution of bank
branches by type as on 31st March 2018.
Table 12: Status of Bank Coverage in Tripura
Type of the Bank No. of branches
Nationalised Bank 180
Tripura Gramin Bank (Regional Rural Bank) 144
Private Sector Bank 50
Source: - Institutional Finance, Tripura.
3.2 Agriculture Scenario of Tripura
Tripura has an agriculture-based economy. Shortage of cultivable land is the main obstacle in the agriculture
sector of the State. Against the national average of 43 percent, only 24 percent of the geographical area of Tripura
is cultivable. Two-third of the total geographical area of the State is hilly. A major part of the geographical area
comprises of Reserved Forests. About 96 percent of agriculturists are small and marginal farmers. For a long
period, cultivation in Tripura was nature-dependent and bulk of the land produced only one crop in a year.
Excessive rain and drought adversely affected production. Irrigation, use of fertilizers and hybrid seeds was
minimal. Initiatives were taken to increase production and productivity by increasing the area of cultivable land,
reclamation of fallow land, expansion of irrigation, use of modern technology in agriculture and use of high yielding
varieties of seeds.
The State's favourable agro-climatic conditions, fertile soils, sub- tropical climate, large tilla lands and abundance
of rainfall of about 2200 mm, well distributed across the season, offer immense scope for development of
horticulture sector comprising of fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops, floriculture, medicinal and aromatic
plants etc beside agricultural crops. The agriculture sector in the state is crucial for both industry and services
sectors, in addition to be the supply base for food and raw materials. The better performance of the agriculture
has a direct and multiplier effect across the economy of the state.
During the year 2017-18, paddy was cultivated in around 2.74 lakh hectare of land (including all seasons). With
an average yield of 2963 kg per hectare, the total production of rice was 8.12 lakh tones in Tripura. Paddy
accounted for 94 percent of the gross cropped area of cereal crops. Maize is the second important cereal crop
which occupies around 5.4 percent of the gross cropped area of cereals. The yield of maize in 2017-18 was 1429
kg per Hectare, resulted in total production of 22.48 thousand MT of maize in the state.
Table 13: Area, Production and Yield of major crops in Tripura (2017-18)
Particulars Area in 000’ Ha. Production 000’
Tonnes Yield (Kg/ Ha)
Rice 274.09 812.06 2963
Wheat 0.2 0.4 2031
Maize 15.74 22.48 1429
Tur 5.59 4.13 738
Gram 0.24 0.19 791
Urad 5.35 3.45 644
Moong 4.79 2.8 584
Lentil 2.89 2.07 716
Oilseeds 17.72 13.82 780
Source: Statistics Division, Department of Agriculture, Tripura
The total area covered under pulses cultivation during 2017-18 was 27.23 thousand hectare and with a yield of
710 kg per hectare, the total pulse production was 19.33 thousand MT in the state. Tur, Urad, Mung and Lentil are
major pulses crop of the state. Tur is the major pulse which accounted for 21 percent of the total area as well as
total production of pulses. This was followed by Urad which occupied 20 percent of the area and contributed for
18 percent of the total pulses production of the state. In case of Moong, the share in area and production was 18
percent and 14 percent respectively.
Apart from cereal and pulses, the state also produces oilseeds. In 2017-18, a total of 17.72 thousand hectare of
land was cultivated with oilseeds and with average yield of 780 kg per hectare, the total production of Oilseeds in
the state was 13.82 thousand MT.
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3.2.1 Trend in Area, Production and Yield of Paddy
The analysis of trend in area, production and yield of paddy in Tripura reveals that the state has progressed well
over the last five years. During the year 2013-14, the area under paddy cultivation was 2.54 lakh hectare which
has increased by 7.8 percent and reached to 2.74 lakh hectare in 2017-18. Similarly, the production of paddy has
also increased from 7.1 lakh MT in 2013-14 to 8.12 lakh MT in 2017-18. During the same period, the yield of paddy
has increased by around 6 percent and reached to 2963 kg per hectare in 2017-18 from 2800 kg per hectare in
2013-14.
Table 14: Area, Production and Yield of Paddy in Tripura
Year Area ('000 Hectares) Production ('000 Tonnes) Yield (Kg. /Hectare)
2013-14 254.25 711.83 2800
2014-15 257.28 746.95 2903
2015-16 269.79 794.85 2946
2016-17 277.11 814.64 2940
2017-18 274.09 812.06 2963
Figure 2: Area, Production and Yield of Paddy in Tripura
3.2.2 Trend in Area, Production and Yield of Maize
The analysis of trend in area, production and yield of Maize in Tripura reveals that the state has progressed well
over the last five years. During the year 2013-14, the area under Maize cultivation was 4.59 thousand hectare
which has increased by around 3.4 times and reached to 15.74 thousand hectares in 2017-18. Similarly, the
production of Maize has also increased from 5.87 thousand MT in 2013-14 to 22.48 thousand MT in 2017-18.
During the same period, the yield of Maize has increased by around 11.7 percent and reached to 1429 kg per
hectare in 2017-18 from 1279 kg per hectare in 2013-14.
Table 15: Area, Production and Yield of Maize in Tripura
2013-14 4.59 5.87 1279
2014-15 4.52 5.89 1303
2015-16 8.65 12.10 1399
2016-17 14.70 20.50 1395
2017-18 15.74 22.48 1429
Y ie
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Figure 3: Area, Production and Yield of Maize in Tripura
3.2.3 Trend in Area, Production and Yield of Pulses
The analysis of trend in area, production and yield of Pulses in Tripura reveals that the state has progressed well
over the last five years. During the year 2013-14, the area under Pulses cultivation was 12.15 thousand hectare
which has increased by around 2.24 times and reached to 27.23 thousand hectares in 2017-18. Similarly, the
production of Pulses has also increased from 8.73 thousand MT in 2013-14 to 19.33 thousand MT in 2017-18.
From a yield of 719 kg per hectare in 2013-14, the yield of Maize has increased by around 32 percent and reached
to 952 kg per hectare in 2016-17, but with a steep decline in 2017-18, it was settled at 710 kg per hectare only.
Table 16: Area, Production and Yield of Pulses in Tripura
2013-14 12.15 8.73 719
2014-15 11.71 8.41 718
2015-16 16.18 10.89 673
2016-17 24.33 23.16 952
2017-18 27.23 19.33 710
Figure 4: Area, Production and Yield of Pulses in Tripura
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3.2.4 Trend in Area, Production and Yield of Oilseeds
The analysis of trend in area, production and yield of Oilseeds in Tripura reveals that the state has progressed
well over the last five years. During the year 2013-14, the area under oilseeds cultivation was 6.05 thousand
hectare which has increased by around 3 times and reached to 17.72 thousand hectares in 2017-18. Similarly,
the production of Oilseeds has also increased from 4.59 thousand MT in 2013-14 to 13.82 thousand MT in 2017-
18. From a yield of 759 kg per hectare in 2013-14, the yield of Oilseeds has increased by around 7.2 percent and
reached to 814 kg per hectare in 2016-17, but with a steep decline in 2017-18, it was settled at 780 kg per hectare
only.
Table 17: Area, Production and Yield of Oilseeds in Tripura
2013-14 6.05 4.59 759
2014-15 8.90 7.06 793
2015-16 11.69 9.01 771
2016-17 15.37 12.51 814
2017-18 17.72 13.82 780
Figure 5: Area, Production and Yield of Oilseeds in Tripura
3.3 Agri Infrastructure
The development of the agriculture sector is not only dependent on advancement in technology but also on the
improvement of agriculture infrastructure. Adequate infrastructure facilities help in raising production and lowering
the unit cost of production activities. Apart from general rural infrastructure, agriculture infrastructure such as
irrigation, tube wells, tractors, regulated markets, storage capacity etc. play a key role in determining the socio-
economic development of farmers.
According to Wharton [1967] agricultural infrastructures are categorized into [i] capital intensive, like irrigation,
roads, bridges [ii] capital extensive, like extension services and [iii] institutional infrastructure, like formal and
informal institutions. Infrastructure, such as irrigation, watershed development, rural electrification, roads, markets,
in close coordination with institutional infrastructure, such as credit institutions, agricultural research and
extension, rural literacy determines the nature and the magnitude of agricultural output in India. Adequate
infrastructure raises farm productivity and lowers farming costs and its fast expansion accelerates agricultural as
well as economic growth rate.
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a) Agriculture Extension System under Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture is a major stakeholder in extension activities carried out in the agriculture sector.
Because of the high priority set by the state government on the agriculture sector, the state has a separate
agricultural set up from the revenue set up for efficient functioning. At present, there are 38 agri-subdivisions which
will be increased to 58 to match the number of revenue blocks in the state. Director, Additional Director and the
Joint Directors work at the state level, while the Deputy Directors are responsible for district level activities,
Superintendents of Agriculture head the agri sub-divisions (revenue block) and Sector Officers are responsible for
agri sectors and agri assistants (Village Level Workers (VLWs) working at the agri-circles.
As per the sanctioned set-up, one agri-circle is to consist of one Gram Panchayat (GP) and 10 Gram Panchayats
will together make one agri-sector. Agri-subdivisions are equivalent to administrative blocks. While each agri-circle
is headed by one VLW, one sector officer is to be the in-charge of each agri-sector. The sector officers are to
report to the Superintendent of Agriculture.
Village Level Worker/Agri Assistant: VLWs are the human resource of the department engaged at the grassroots
in the state. The minimum educational level for the post is intermediate level. While the post is not a technical one,
they have the highest interaction with the farmers. So, to train them in various agricultural activities and
methodologies, the state Govt. has established Upgraded Gram Sevak Training Centres (UGTC) where they
undergo two trainings in their career – one in the beginning and one in the middle as refresher training of one year
duration each. These training centres undertake about 40 trainings each year and play a very important role in
development activities of agriculture, horticulture, and allied sectors in the state, as the quality of training provided
by these centres, to a large extent, determine the quality of services provided by these grassroot level extension
workers. While the state has 1209 GP, there are only 700 VLWs, while as per plan, each VLW circle is to cover
one GP. Also, the department has 384 subsidy stores at the GP level for distributing subsidized inputs and
machineries to farmers throughout the year. While the plan was to have one store for two GPs, due to financial
constraint, the number could not be increased. These stores are also manned by VLWs, which leaves only 316
VLWs throughout the state (roughly three-four GPs per VLW) to actively visit the farmers at the fields and address
the issues arising. The VLWs also work as Assistant Technology Manager (ATM) for ATMA. Along with the regular
duties, they also have to engage with census (both agricultural and human), elections, and other administrative
duties increasing the workload and reducing efficiency at times.
Sector officers: Sector officers are also active at the village level and extension is a major part of their job. At
present, there are 83 agri-sectors in the state, each comprising of around 15 GPs on an average. While the sector
offices were sanctioned to serve 10-12 GP, due to constraint in manpower, each sector office is currently covering
18-20 GPs (Agriculture Road Map 2013-2017; pp-27). The sector officers are technical posts with minimum
qualification of B.Sc. (Agri/Hort.). Currently, majority of the sector officer posts are held by agriculture graduates
and since they are responsible for both agriculture and horticulture and implementing the various schemes under
different state and central programs takes up a major part of their workload. Other than that, different works under
MGNREGA (like orchard preparation, land levelling for agricultural purposes, and so on), which is a Rural
Development Project, is also carried out by the DoA and has to be looked after by the sector officers, because of
limited human resource at the DoA. The state has no recruitment under ATMA and the sector officers also carry
out the duties of the Block Technology Manager. With multiple administrative duties to be performed, very little
time is left for extension activities other than the regular training programmes and exhibitions for target
achievement.
Superintendents of Agriculture (SA): The SAs are responsible for all the activities of the DoA at the sub-division
level. Though the job description does not call for extension work, they are involved as resource persons in training
programs for farmers. Along with that, the superintendents are also Block Technology Team (BTT) Convener in-
Page | 34
charge for ATMA. At present, there are in total 37 posts of SA in the state, of which 29 are filled by Superintendents
of Agriculture and the rest nine are Superintendents of Horticulture.
College of Agriculture, Tripura: With increased emphasis on agricultural education and promotion of scientific
cultivation practices in the state, the College of Agriculture, Tripura, was established under the Perspective Plan
in 2007. The college is yet to start post graduate courses because of faculty shortage. Extension activities are also
limited to RAWE (Rural Agricultural Work Experience) programmes and a few field visits and demonstrations for
farmers in collaboration with T-SAMETI. Also, because of lack of proper infrastructure and faculties and being only
a graduate college as of now, there has been no significant contribution in terms of research yet. The State
Agricultural Research Station (SARS), as of now, is the sole research wing for agriculture in the state.
State Agricultural Research Station (SARS): SARS has been significant in terms of research in the state and being
the sole research wing for the state other than ICAR, has a huge responsibility as well. It also has had significant
contribution in terms of agronomic practices like System of Rice Intensification (SRI) dissemination, which have
been successful in the state. The station conducts demonstration for farmers and VLWs and helps them keep
abreast with recent technological development. It also looks after the different research farms of the state at every
sector, for seed production and other related research. But again, having the required number of competent
manpower in the station and its research farms is a challenge.
b) Agriculture Extension System under Department of Horticulture
The Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation is under the Department of Agriculture and so the structure
in manpower and set up is similar to that of agriculture. While the position of Director and Deputy Directors are
different for Horticulture, at agri-subdivision level, the Superintendents of agriculture also look after horticulture
and same goes for Sector officers and VLWs. Subsidies under different schemes are also distributed from the
subsidy stores at agri circles headed by VLWs.
Horticulture Research Station (HRS): The HRS is the research wing of the Directorate of Horticulture and carries
out both research and extension activities. The major objectives of the research station are introduction,
acclimatization and evaluation of major plantation crops; establishment of germplasm bank for indigenous and
exogenous horticultural crops for future research; and production of high-quality planting materials.
Standardization of profitable cultivation techniques of spices and flowers are also among the major activities of
the station. The HRS has received accolades for its pioneering work in production of TPS. Regular extension
activities like hands-on training of farmers on different techniques, demonstrations, focused group discussions,
conducting field visits are also undertaken by HRS.
c) Agriculture Extension System under Department of Fisheries
The Department of Fisheries (DoF) works independently under the Minister of Fisheries, with the Special Secretary
cum Director looking after the activities at the state level. Joint Director (JDF) and Deputy Directors (DDF) work at
the district level, Superintendents of Fishery (SF) are at the sub-division level, Fishery officers (FO) are deputed
at block level and Fishery assistants (FA) are at the GP or Circle level. The set up for the fishery sector is also
similar to that of agriculture.
Technical manpower is deficit in the fisheries department as well. The post of Additional Director is also hold by
director. For SF, 14 posts are vacant against the sanctioned 29. Of the 123 sanctioned posts of Fishery Officers
at block level, 29 are vacant. Fishery Inspectors, work at GP level and of the 71 sanctioned posts, 19 are currently
vacant. For FAs at the GP level, 139 posts are vacant against the 387 sanctioned to look after 1,118 GPs. Other
than that, many administrative posts are also vacant in the state and this also increases the workload of the SFs,
FOs, and FAs, giving lesser time for interaction with farmers.
Page | 35
College of Fisheries (CoF), Central Agricultural University (Imphal): DoF has no research wing of its own like
Agriculture or Horticulture and depends on the ingenuity of its field staff to a large extent and CoF to some extent
for required technological support. Laboratory supports as well as technical help are also taken from CoF as and
when required by the department.
d) Agriculture Extension System under ARDD
ARDD operates under the Ministry of ARD and the Director heads the whole set up. Director, Additional Director
and Joint Director supervise state level activities, Deputy Directors look after districts, Assistant Directors are
responsible for block level activities, Veterinary officers are at the sector level and Extension officers, Senior ARD
assistants and ARD assistants (para-vet professionals) are posted at the Primary Health centers at GP level.
Against 35 sanction posts of Deputy Directors, only 7 posts are filled while remaining 28 posts are still vacant.
Similarly, in case of Assistant Directors, against total sanction seat of 85, only 46 seats are filled. In case of
veterinary officers, 100 positions are filled against 217 sanctioned positions.
For capacity development in the livestock sector, entrepreneurship development and vocational trainings are
being provided to rural youth and farm women along with

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