Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma wants to boost mulberry profits. He proposed raising the procurement price from Rs 350 to Rs 500 per kg during an inspection of Kathalia block in Sepahijala district on Tuesday. The minister surveyed a plantation run by Bhuvan Kanya Tripura in Kalikhola ADC Village. Local sericulture efforts struggle against rising costs and the pull of rubber farming.
The current mulberry cluster originated under the Left Front government with 100 farmers. Many growers quit. They cited low income. Authorities now plan to recruit 50 new participants, including ten from Kalapania village. Previous efforts included growers from Kalikrishnanagar, Uttar Maheshpur, Nirbhaypur, Kalikhola, and Monaipathar. Bhuvan Kanya Tripura even converted part of her mulberry plot into a rubber grove. To keep her in the trade, the Sericulture Department provided her a house, along with two other unnamed beneficiaries.
Debbarma began his day at the Sonamura Sub-Divisional Magistrate office. He later reviewed 2026-27 development plans at the Kathalia Block Panchayat Samiti office. Discussions included expanding mulberry cultivation to Nidaya and Kalapania. The Tribal Welfare Department also moved to authorize a 50-bed hostel in Taibandal village. Dhanpur MLA Bindu Debnath and other local officials attended the meeting. Debbarma noted the importance of the industry during his visit. He stated, "The Sericulture Department has provided her with a house."
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