Date: August 1, 2025 | Sky Link Times Correspondent
Agartala: The Tripura government has stepped forward to support betel nut garden owners affected by a cholera outbreak in the northern district, particularly in the Jampui Hills under Kanchanpur subdivision. The outbreak, which has impacted betel nut cultivation in Monpui and Belianchip areas, has raised serious concerns among local farmers and prompted swift government action.
Following reports in local media about the outbreak of cholera in betel nut trees, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare sprang into action. A high-level team led by Deepak Kumar Das, Director of the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, visited the affected areas on Thursday to assess the situation firsthand.
The expert team included:
- Dr. Rajiv Ghosh, Principal Deputy Director, State Garden and Horticultural Crops Research Center
- Dr. Durga Asti, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Nagaraju and Dr. S. Pratap, researchers from the Agricultural Science Center
- Avinash Das, Assistant Director, State Garden and Horticultural Crops Research Center
- SA Kabir Debbarma, Agriculture Sub-Divisional Officer, Kanchanpur
On-Ground Inspection and Farmers’ Interaction
The team visited several affected gardens and interacted with farmers to understand the challenges they are facing. A joint review meeting was held at the local community hall where garden owners expressed their concerns and appealed for government support.
Director Deepak Kumar Das assured the farmers that the state government is actively working to solve the issue. He stated, “We have formed an expert committee to investigate the matter. The team has gathered feedback from the field, and a strategic action plan will be prepared based on their report. If needed, we are open to exploring alternative crops for sustainable cultivation.”
Disease Spread and Root Causes
During the visit, Dr. Rajiv Ghosh highlighted the key reasons behind the rapid spread of the disease:
- Continuous monoculture of betel nut on the same land over the years
- Overcrowding of plants without maintaining proper spacing
- Reuse of untreated rainwater, which is likely contaminated with the cholera pathogen
He emphasized the need to stop using infected rainwater and recommended mixed farming practices to diversify income sources and reduce crop vulnerability.
“Relying on a single crop like betel nut is not sustainable in the long run. Diversifying with mixed cultivation will help improve both crop yield and farmers’ income,” Dr. Ghosh added.
Next Steps
The delegation will compile their field findings into a detailed scientific report, which will guide the government’s next course of action. Authorities aim to implement scientifically-backed measures to control the disease and protect the livelihoods of affected farmers.
The Tripura government’s timely intervention and the formation of an expert team reflect its commitment to protecting agricultural interests and supporting farmers in crisis.
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