Tripura records sharp rise in flower cultivation as farmers turn blooms into income

INDIA – Tripura has recorded a strong rise in flower cultivation over the past seven years, driven by farmer interest, supportive weather, and state-led efforts to promote the sector, according to Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath.

The Minister shared the update while inaugurating the Vivekananda Flower Garden at Mohanpur in West Tripura, where he spoke about the everyday and economic value of flowers in the state.

“If you want to greet someone, flowers are needed; during religious programmes, flowers are needed; in social and cultural events, flowers are needed everywhere. In our state, the soil is fertile and we receive

Tripura’s climate and soil continue to support steady growth in flower farming. Nath noted that farmers now see flowers as a reliable source of income rather than only decorative plants.

“Tripura’s weather and soil are very helpful for flower cultivation. Earlier, people used to see flowers only as beautiful items, but now people are earning lakhs of rupees by cultivating flowers,” he said.

Farmers such as Sentu Bhowmik of Barjala, Pradip Sarkar of Kanchanmala, Jayanta Dey of Chandibari, and Indrajit Debnath of Baikhora have taken up flower farming as a main livelihood activity. According to the Minister, this shift has helped strengthen incomes, especially for small-scale farmers.

Before 2018, farmers cultivated flowers on 2,738 kani of land across Tripura. Over the last seven years, that figure has grown to 11,720 kani, reflecting wider adoption across multiple districts. Crops such as marigold, rose, and rajanigandha remain common, with most production still taking place in open fields.

Export markets offer wider outlook

Beyond local and regional demand, Indian flowers continue to attract buyers overseas. The United States remains the largest importer of Indian flowers, with steady demand for roses, jasmine, orchids, and carnations.

European countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom also import significant volumes, while the Netherlands serves as a major trade and distribution hub. Japan imports smaller volumes, mainly orchids and specialty flowers.

In the 2023 to 2024 period, India exported 19,677.89 metric tonnes of flowers valued at US$86.63 million, with the United States leading as the top market, followed by key European destinations.

State officials see this export performance as a signal of wider opportunity. With rising acreage and farmer participation, Tripura aims to strengthen its position within India’s growing flower sector while linking local producers to stable domestic and overseas demand.

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