Agartala, June 10: The West District Office of the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) organised a three-day exposure visit programme on plant grafting techniques for women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The programme was held from Monday to Wednesday at the Fruits Block of the State Agriculture Research Station in Nagicherra.
Women from various SHGs across nine blocks of West Tripura, including Old Agartala, Dukli, Bamutia, Lefunga, Hezamara, Mohanpur, Jirania, Mandai and Belbari, participated in the programme. Nearly 100 SHG members attended the exposure visit and gained practical knowledge on different methods of plant propagation and grafting.
Officials of the research station, including Deputy Director and Fruits Block In-Charge Sagarika Bhattacharjee and Agriculture Officer Panchal Bhattacharjee, demonstrated various grafting techniques for fruit plants and explained their economic benefits. Participants were also taken on a guided tour of the fruits block to observe the nursery and propagation activities firsthand.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Director Sagarika Bhattacharjee said that SHG members from all nine blocks under West Tripura showed keen interest in learning about the activities being carried out at the Nagicherra Fruits Block.
“We introduced them to the various propagation methods used for producing quality planting materials. The participants were given hands-on experience in nursery management and plant propagation techniques. It was encouraging to see their enthusiasm and active participation throughout the programme. Over the past three days, groups from three blocks attended each day, and today marked the conclusion of the exposure visit,” she said.
The participants appreciated the initiative taken by the TRLM West District Office and described it as highly beneficial. However, they also expressed the need for more structured training programmes on nursery development and grafting techniques.
Dipali Debbarma, a Krishi Sakhi from Mandai Block, said the exposure visit provided valuable knowledge and practical learning opportunities.
“We found the demonstrations very useful. If similar training programmes are organised in Mandai Block, we will be able to apply these techniques, support farmers and even generate income through the sale of grafted plants,” she said.
Another participant from Byapari area, who attended along with nine other members, said they learned techniques such as lemon cutting propagation, guava nursery raising and mango grafting.
“We were shown different methods of preparing saplings and grafting fruit plants. The officials explained many aspects of nursery management, and we hope more training programmes will be arranged so that we can learn further and apply these skills in our communities,” she said.
The exposure visit aimed to enhance the technical knowledge and livelihood opportunities of SHG members by promoting scientific nursery practices and fruit plant propagation techniques across West Tripura.
