Agartala, October 12, 2026: The Tripura government has undertaken infrastructure development projects in 204 agricultural markets across the state at an estimated cost of ₹461.83 crore to improve marketing facilities for farmers and help them secure better returns for their produce, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Sunday.
The Minister made the announcement while inaugurating development projects and laying foundation stones for new initiatives under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in Khowai and Kalyanpur.
During the programme, Nath inaugurated the office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation in Khowai district. He also inaugurated a newly constructed two-storey rural market at Brindaban Ghat Bazar, which is expected to provide improved facilities for farmers, traders and local residents.
According to the Minister, Tripura has 554 agricultural markets. Infrastructure development work has already been initiated in 204 markets, of which 87 have been completed, while work is underway in the remaining 117. The projects include the construction of market sheds, shop units and toilets, along with improvements to drinking water and drainage facilities.
Nath said that between the 2018-19 and 2025-26 financial years, the state undertook development initiatives for 204 markets with an allocation of ₹461.83 crore. In comparison, only 71 market infrastructure projects were taken up between 2013 and 2017, involving an expenditure of ₹20.26 crore.
He said the government was focusing on increasing agricultural and horticultural production, promoting plantation crops and improving farmers’ incomes to strengthen the state’s agricultural economy and reduce dependence on external sources.
The Minister also said that Deputy Directors of Agriculture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation were now available in every district. The government has further decided to establish agricultural sub-divisional offices in every block to make government schemes and services more accessible to farmers. At present, the state has 47 agricultural sub-divisional offices and nine offices under the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department at the sub-divisional level.
Highlighting other initiatives, Nath said the government had launched a programme to provide every farmer with a unique Farmer ID to facilitate access to various government benefits.
He added that 13,875 farmers were practising natural farming across 5,550 hectares in Tripura. The state aims to bring an additional 11,250 hectares under natural farming by the 2026-27 financial year. Since 2020-21, organic agricultural produce from Tripura has generated sales worth ₹17.2 crore in domestic and overseas markets.
The Minister also highlighted the distribution of 50,300 agricultural machines over the past eight years with subsidies amounting to ₹233.63 crore. Between 2013 and 2017, subsidies worth ₹28.35 crore were provided for the distribution of 2,600 agricultural machines.
Nath said the government was working to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen market infrastructure, promote modern farming equipment and expand farmers’ access to government schemes.