Agartala, Sep 11: In a significant step toward agricultural modernization and farmer empowerment, the Tripura government has announced plans to convert 21 agricultural markets into digital trading hubs under the Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) initiative.
The announcement was made by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday while inaugurating a newly constructed market at Kulai and a Rural Knowledge Centre at Noagaon village in Dhalai district.
Highlighting the state’s roadmap, the minister said that Tripura currently has 554 agricultural markets, including 84 wholesale ones. Of these, 21 production markets will be integrated with the eNAM platform in a phased manner.
“In the last seven years, our government has worked to treat agricultural produce like industrial goods by creating strong marketing channels. While the previous government spent Rs 20.20 crore on market development in seven years, we have invested Rs 303 crore for the same purpose,” Nath said.
Under the initiative, farmers will be able to upload details and photographs of their produce online and sell directly to buyers across India, ensuring fair prices and wider market access.
In the first phase, seven markets—Panisagar, Pabiachera, Kulai, Teliamura, Mohanpur, Sonamura, and Santirbazar—will be digitized with Rs 2.10 crore sanctioned by the Centre. The second phase will bring 12 more markets, including Dashda, Bachai Bari, Kalyanpur, Champaknagar, Bishalgarh, Jampuijala, Melaghar, Barpathari, Natun Bazar, Gandatwisa, and Chawmanu, under the platform.
Each market will be equipped with offices, auction platforms, grading and sorting facilities, laboratories, warehouses, weighing stations, and drinking water facilities.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Nath said, “Our primary objective is to double farmers’ income and ensure they receive fair value for their produce. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and overall development.”
