Story by Kakoli Bhowmik, Tripura, 29 April 2025: The Central and State governments are implementing various schemes to double farmers’ income, and as a result, the income of farmers in Tripura has significantly increased. Moving away from traditional crops, farmers are now showing interest in cultivating new types of crops. In the Bishalgarh sub-division, farmers have started cultivating mustard with the encouragement and guidance of the Agriculture Department and they are already witnessing success. Abdul Gafur, a progressive farmer from the Bishalgarh block, has gained recognition for his successful mustard cultivation.
Not only has he achieved success himself, but he is also encouraging fellow farmers of his age group to take up mustard farming and offers them valuable advice. On November 8, 2024, under the ATMA scheme, the Agriculture Sector Office in Bishalgarh organized a training session on mustard cultivation in Raghunathpur. The training covered cultivation techniques, storage, increasing productivity, and marketing.
Abdul Gafur, along with 33 other farmers, received the training free of cost. The purpose of the training was to encourage farmers to pursue alternative cropping methods to boost their income and to inform them about scientific methods of mustard cultivation. During the three-month training program, each participating farmer received financial support of ₹29,439 from the Agriculture Department to cultivate mustard on one hectare of land.
Additionally, they were provided with seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Pradip Dutta, Agriculture Sector Officer of Bishalgarh, said that each farmer was given 39 kg of mustard seeds. Farmers were also advised on soil health testing and disease management for crops. He further added that the department would buy mustard directly from farmers at ₹85 per kg higher than the prevailing market rate ensuring that farmers do not have to sell their produce at low prices. Abdul Gafur has harvested 2 metric tons of mustard from his land and is optimistic about producing even more in the upcoming season.
He believes his dream is finally coming true. Gafur and other farmers now hope to cultivate three types of crops mustard, rice, and pulses instead of a single crop, with the continued support of the Agriculture Department. They are confident that their hard work will pay off and that their income will grow substantially.
