Tripura Agricultural College, IVRI and KVK launch major drive to popularize onion cultivation in Sepahijala
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 25, 2025
Tripura Agricultural College, in collaboration with the Indian Vegetable Research Institute (IVRI), Varanasi, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sepahijala district, has launched a major initiative to promote onion cultivation in Sepahijala district with the aim of boosting farmer income and ensuring sustainable agricultural diversification.
Despite its favorable agro-climatic conditions, including a mild tropical winter climate and an average annual rainfall of 2,000 mm, onion cultivation has remained underutilized in Tripura. Now, through scientific interventions and farmer training programs, the crop is showing promising results in the state.
In India, onion is cultivated in three main seasons: Rabi (contributing about 50% of national production), end-Kharif (30%), and Kharif (20%). Success in onion farming depends heavily on proper selection of varieties suitable to photoperiod and temperature. Considering Tripura’s small landholding pattern, the new program emphasizes onion cultivation as part of a vegetable-based cropping system.
The initiative gained momentum during 2023-24 when farmers in Bishalgarh Agricultural Subdivision began commercial onion cultivation after specialized training under the Tripura Agricultural College and IVRI program. For end-Kharif season, the Bhima Super variety was introduced, while Sukh Sagar and Bhima Shakti were recommended for Rabi crops. In Tripura’s soil and climate, these varieties have demonstrated productivity of 28–30 tonnes per hectare. A total of 60 farmers joined onion cultivation in Bishalgarh during 2024-25.
According to the official sources, Early success stories have already emerged. Sanjeev Debnath, a farmer from Laxmibil village, cultivated the Sukh Sagar variety and harvested 100 kg of onions. He earned Rs. 6,000 from tubers and another Rs. 5,000 from green leaves, supplementing his income from other vegetables.
Ruby Bhowmik, another farmer from Bishalgarh, harvested 80 kg of Bhima Shakti onions. By selling tubers at Rs. 30 per kg, she earned Rs. 18,000 along with Rs. 4,000 from leaf sales.
Encouraged by such results, the number of onion farmers in Bishalgarh block has risen sharply to 137 in 2025-26. Marking the expansion of the initiative, the Vishal Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) BTT Convener, Bishalgarh, together with Tripura Krishi Mahavidyalaya, IVRI Varanasi, and KVK Sepahijala, organized a one-day training workshop on onion cultivation yesterday at Bishalgarh. The program saw the participation of 85 farmers.
The event was graced by Bishalgarh MLA Shri Sushanta Deb, Deputy Director of Horticulture Shri Pulak Gan, Superintendent of Agriculture and Horticulture Shri Himanis Kaskar, Assistant Professor Dr. Trideep Bhattacharya of Tripura Agricultural College, Dr. Utpal Dey from KVK Sepahijala, and Prabir Datta, Sector Officer of Bishalgarh.
During the program, the Deputy Director of Horticulture presented the detailed roadmap of onion cultivation initiatives to the government. Following scientific training sessions, 75 farmers received 100 grams of onion seeds each (variety: Sukh Sagar). Additionally, 10 farmers from Madhya Laxmibil village were provided 5 kg of Bhima Dark Red seeds for cultivating 6 kani of land.
The broader goals of the initiative include knowledge sharing, sustainable farming, promotion of organic and natural farming methods, and adoption of modern scientific practices to increase productivity. The collaboration is expected to generate greater enthusiasm for onion cultivation, strengthen farmer incomes, and drive agricultural innovation in Tripura.
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