Tripura, 16 April 2025: Agriculture Breaking the boundaries of conventional farming and pursuing his dreams, a marginalized tribal farmer has opened the door to new possibilities in life. Today, he stands as a symbol of self-reliance and a new pathfinder in rural agriculture. Bhupen Debbarma, a resident of Harijay Chowdhury Para under the Jirania Block, has become an inspiring figure in his community.
Son of Nani Gopal Debbarma, this enthusiastic young man in his early thirties completed his graduation in Commerce a few years ago. However, instead of chasing jobs like many others, he chose a different path to success by using his farmland as capital. From a young age, Bhupen had a deep interest in agriculture. Although he wanted to pursue higher education, financial constraints forced him to give up that dream.
Instead, he committed himself wholeheartedly to farming, which has turned him into a successful and self-reliant farmer. Bhupen regularly explores and adopts modern agricultural techniques, which have helped him achieve better yields. His dedication and success serve as an inspiration for local youth.
Over time, he has acquired practical agricultural knowledge from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, which has sharpened his skills. With one hectare of land at his disposal, he primarily cultivates Aman paddy and various seasonal vegetables. He also grows horticultural crops, ensuring no part of his land goes unused. His sincerity and hard work in farming have brought him success and recognition.
Support from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has further encouraged him to embrace modern methods and technology, leading to increased productivity and profitability. Last year, he sold around 800 kilograms of paddy under the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, earning about Rs. 25,000.
But Bhupen didn’t stop at just paddy and vegetables; he diversified his farming activities by cultivating flowers and fruits, thereby adding multiple dimensions to his agricultural practice. Always seeking innovation, Bhupen noticed the market demand for pure honey, which sparked his interest in beekeeping (apiculture).
After consulting experienced officials from the agriculture department, he started with a few beehive boxes on an experimental basis. Gradually, his interest grew, and he began researching various aspects of apiculture on his own. Impressed by his dedication, Somen Kumar Das, the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer of Jirania, arranged for him to receive training under the “ATMA” project. After completing the training, Bhupen began commercial beekeeping at home with five boxes. Within two years, he expanded to 30 boxes.
He set up his beehives in a green garden behind his house, gathering the necessary tools and materials himself. In the beginning, his honey production was limited, with each box yielding around 1.5 to 2 kilograms of honey, which sold for Rs. 1100–1200 per kg in the market. Through perseverance and learning, he soon mastered beekeeping. Now, each box generates honey worth around Rs. 2500, and in the first two years alone, he earned approximately Rs. 75,000 from honey sales.
Thus, what began as a personal dream turned into a path of self-reliance. Bhupen Debbarma is a progressive and dynamic farmer who didn’t limit himself to traditional agriculture. He ventured into alternative farming methods, setting an exemplary model for the next generation of farmers.
His pragmatic mindset, hard work, and boldness to walk the path of self-reliance are truly commendable. He has proved that with vision, initiative, and the right planning, farming can indeed be a sustainable and profitable means of livelihood.
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