Tripura's AIKS Opposes Government Palm Cultivation Drive, Demands Focus on Rubber Plantations

In line with the centre, the Tripura government undertook a massive initiative to promote palm cultivation.

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) state committee opposed the government’s eye on palm cultivation and demanded to enhance rubber plantation in the state, which, according to them, is much better in terms of economy, health, and environment.

AIKS Tripura Chief, former Left Front Minister and veteran communist leader Pabitra Kar, told the media, “Palm cultivation will not be a profitable business for the farmers of Tripura; rather, enhancement of rubber plantation will bring profit for the farmers in an eco-sustainable manner.”

During the time of the Left Front government, a feasibility study of growing palm in Tripura was made, but it was found to be a non-profitable business for the farmers, and palm cultivation damages farming land.

Based on this, the previous left front government focused on rubber plantations and emerged as the second-largest latex producer in the country, he stated.

Kar criticised the ‘doubling up farmers’ income’ remark made by the agriculture minister and labelled it as ‘baseless’.

He stated that the state's farmers continue to suffer due to a lack of infrastructure and government support. Amidst the crisis, the government launched the Tripura Palm Mission without considering its consequences, which will be a disaster for the farmers, and they will launch a protest programme against palm cultivation, Kar added.