“Orange is a cash crop. There is ample scope for self-reliance through orange cultivation. The Barmura area north of Killa Block is an ideal place for orange cultivation.” Ratan Lal Nath, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of Tripura said this while inaugurating the state-based orange festival at North Baramura Village premises in Killa Block on Friday.

He said, “The state government is on the side of orange farmers. Initiatives have been taken to cultivate oranges using scientific methods in the state, which will improve the quality of oranges produced.”

Nath added, “224 orange growers were paid 20,000 rupees for garden maintenance. 3,729 hectares of land in the entire state has been brought under orange cultivation. Annual yield is about 14 thousand 775 metric tons. The income is 18 crore 56 lakh rupees.”
The Agriculture Minister said that currently jackfruit, pineapple, ginger, bel of the state are exported abroad.

He said, “The state government has taken initiatives to make every family financially independent. Currently there are 51 thousand 254 self help groups in the state. 4 lakh 66 thousand 853 women are associated with it.”

MLA Ramapada Jamatia said, “A large new land will be brought under orange cultivation in Killa area. Initiatives have been taken for infrastructural development by renovating roads in block areas.”

MLA Abhishek Debroy said “There is ample opportunity to make the unemployed youth of the state self-reliant through agriculture. This state-wide orange festival was organized to encourage the orange growers of the state including the orange growers of the Killa area.”