FPOs, FPCs urged to set up nurseries, boost mushroom cultivation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 28, 2025

The Horticulture Department of Tripura has urged Farmers’ Producers’ Organisations (FPOs) and Farmers’ Producers’ Companies (FPCs) to establish nurseries in order to meet the rising demand for quality saplings in the state.

Deputy Director of Horticulture and head of the State Horticulture Research Station, Rajib Ghosh, said the shortage of nurseries was a major hurdle in supplying healthy saplings to farmers. He called upon FPOs and FPCs to shoulder the responsibility of creating nurseries that can address this gap and strengthen the horticulture sector.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a workshop on organic mushroom cultivation, Ghosh emphasised the income potential of mushroom farming. “Mushrooms are in high demand in Tripura’s markets. At present, 12 centres have been set up across the state to provide spawn to farmers,” he said. He also pointed out that although mushrooms are naturally organic, certification is necessary to sell them under the organic label. The state government, in collaboration with Mission Organic Value Chain, has launched crop-wise certification drives to facilitate this process.

Deputy Director of Agriculture, Rajib Debbarma, underlined that mushroom farming does not require large tracts of land and is particularly suitable for small and marginal farmers. “During my visits to the markets, vendors frequently mention that mushroom demand has surged in recent years. Farmers can benefit greatly if they take up this crop,” he observed.

The workshop encouraged farmers to diversify into organic mushroom production and urged collectives to expand into nursery development, both seen as vital to boosting agricultural growth in Tripura.

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