AGARTALA, August 20, 2025: In a significant boost to agricultural cooperation in Northeast India, Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced that the Central Government has authorised Tripura to certify paddy seeds for neighbouring states Manipur and Mizoram. The move is expected to strengthen regional agricultural development and ensure the supply of high-quality, certified seeds to farmers across the region.
The announcement was made during the unveiling of a statue of renowned agricultural scientist Dr. M. S. Swaminathan at the State Agriculture Research Station in Arundhuti Nagar. The event was attended by agricultural scientists, government officials, researchers and farmers, who paid tribute to the architect of India’s Green Revolution.
Addressing the gathering, Nath highlighted Dr. Swaminathan’s immense contribution to Indian agriculture and recalled his famous assertion that “if agriculture fails, nothing else can be developed.” The Minister said that the scientist’s vision and research helped India overcome food shortages and achieve self-sufficiency in food grain production, laying the foundation for the country’s agricultural progress.
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Speaking on Tripura’s growing role in the agricultural sector, Nath said the state has emerged as a leader in seed production and certification in the Northeast. He noted that Tripura possesses a well-established agricultural support system, including the State Agricultural Research Institute, the State Seed Certification Agency and the State Seed Testing Laboratory. These institutions have enabled the state to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of high-yielding paddy seeds and earn recognition as a trusted certification authority for neighbouring states.
The Minister also highlighted the government's efforts to modernise agriculture through integrated farming practices and scientific cultivation methods. Referring to India’s strong agricultural export performance in products such as rice, fish, spices, fruits and dairy products, he said the success was the result of visionary leadership, scientific innovation and the hard work of farmers.
Nath further spoke about the national edible oil mission, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s target of achieving 72 per cent domestic edible oil production by 2030 to reduce dependence on imports. He urged farmers to take advantage of government schemes, research institutions and modern technologies to improve productivity and income.
Reaffirming Tripura’s progress in food security, the Minister stated that 31 out of the state’s 58 Rural Development blocks have achieved self-sufficiency in food grain production, with Chandipur RD Block recently joining the list. He expressed confidence that continued investment in research, quality seed production and farmer education would further strengthen Tripura’s position as an emerging agricultural hub in Northeast India.
