Promotion of Pulses in the North Eastern Hill Region — the demonstrations, farmers and training programmes ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur supports across Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
Success story under the NER Sub-Plan
Rajma is an important rabi pulse crop cultivated by local farmers in the plain regions of South Tripura. Productivity remained low due to the continued cultivation of the local variety, poor crop management practices, and limited access to quality inputs and organized markets.
25 ha
Demonstration area, South Tripura district
12 ha
Under the improved Kashipur Farash Bean
12–15%
Yield gain over the local variety
1.8–2.0 :1
Benefit–cost ratio realised
To address these constraints, the College of Agriculture, Tripura implemented a Demonstration on Scientific Cultivation of Rajma during the Rabi season 2025–26 under the ICAR–Indian Institute of Pulses Research (ICAR-IIPR) collaborative programme “Promotion of Pulses in NEH Region (Tripura).” The demonstration covered 25 ha in South Tripura district involving farmers of Doulbari and Indira Nagar villages.
Under the programme, the improved rajma variety Kashipur Farash Bean was introduced in 12 ha of the demonstration area, replacing the traditionally grown local variety. Farmers were supplied with quality seed, fertilizers, Trichoderma-based bio-pesticide, micronutrients, plant protection chemicals, manual seed drills, and manual ridgers. Two capacity-building programmes on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in rajma cultivation were organized, followed by field demonstrations on line sowing, seed treatment with Trichoderma, ridge making, and micronutrient application.
A Crop Cut Evaluation conducted on 15 March 2026 demonstrated the superiority of the improved production technology. The Kashipur Farash Bean variety recorded 12–15% higher yield than the local variety, with an average productivity of 1.8–2.0 t/ha. Besides higher yield, the improved variety produced more pods per plant, larger seed size, and better grain quality, making it more acceptable in the market.
A major achievement of the programme was the establishment of a direct market linkage between the participating farmers and a buyers’ organization in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Owing to the superior seed size, attractive colour, and better grain quality, the harvested produce fetched a premium price. The entire produce was successfully transported by rail to Raipur, eliminating the role of intermediaries and improving farmers’ profitability. Economic analysis indicated that farmers adopting the scientific production technology realized a benefit–cost (B:C) ratio of 1.8–2.0:1, demonstrating the economic viability of the intervention.
The demonstration showed that the adoption of improved varieties coupled with scientific crop management and market linkage can significantly enhance rajma productivity, quality, and farmers’ income in the North Eastern Hill Region. The success has generated considerable interest among neighbouring farmers, creating opportunities for wider horizontal spread of improved rajma cultivation in Tripura.
The institute describes the 12 ha under Kashipur Farash Bean as half of the demonstration area; against the 25 ha it reports, that is 48%.
Under the IIPR-NER programme
Success-story mirrors the fruitfulness of an initiative. The institute, through its IIPR-NER Sub-Plan, has been abled to count few cases which have brought a difference in an individual’s life-standard. Below are the few success-stories from north-east region of India, achieved under the programme.
Mrs. E Tasing, a 32-year-old progressive farmer from Oyan village in East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, has set a remarkable example by converting one hectare of non-cropped land into a thriving organic farming system.
1 ha
Non-cropped land brought under cultivation
12 q/ha
Greengram yield in the first year
SBC-40
Greengram variety, intercropped with dragon fruit
1 : 2.50
Cost–benefit ratio
With only a 12th pass qualification, her dedication and openness to innovation led her to adopt the interventions introduced under the project “Promotion of Pulses in NE Region” under IIPR-NER Component. In 2024–25, she implemented an intercropping system of high-yielding variety of greengram (SBC-40) with dragon fruit on her land, which was previously uncultivated. Utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Disease Management (IDM) technologies, including Rhizobium and Trichoderma, she achieved a yield of 12 quintals per hectare from greengram in the very first year, with dragon fruit plants in their pre-bearing stage. This conversion not only brought barren land under cultivation but also demonstrated the viability of sustainable and integrated farming practices. Mrs. Tasing’s success serves as an inspiring model for women and smallholder farmers across the region, proving that with the right support and innovation, organic pulse cultivation can thrive even in non-traditional areas.
The Mirbuk Ane Self Help Groups from Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, have emerged as a powerful example of women-led value addition and rural entrepreneurship under the “Promotion of Pulses in NEH Region” initiative.
1 : 3.50
Cost–benefit ratio achieved
3
Products — bhujia, besan and cookies
Leveraging locally available pulses such as blackgram and greengram, the SHG members have been trained and empowered to produce a variety of value-added food products, including bhujia, besan, and cookies. These products, processed and packaged with quality and hygiene standards, have not only gained popularity in local markets but also created a sustainable source of income for the women involved. Through collective effort, skill development, and market-oriented processing, the SHGs have transformed traditional farming into a profitable enterprise. This initiative has not only improved livelihoods but also enhanced the confidence and social standing of women farmers, reinforcing the role of SHGs as engines of economic empowerment in the region.
With timely input support of quality seeds, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals under the IIPR NER Programme, farmers from Unakoti, South Tripura, West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala districts of Tripura have proved their progressiveness in scientific farming of Blackgram, Rajma and Lentil.
6
Farmers profiled
5
Districts — Unakoti, South Tripura, Khowai, Sepahijala, West Tripura
2.92 ha
Area covered between them
₹208,581
Net profit reported in total
01
Black Gram IPU 10-26
Benefits from scheme
Seed, Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium), Bio-Pesticide (Trichoderma), Fungicide, Insecticide, Herbicide, Micro-nutrient formulation, Seed Drill
Farmer’s view
HYV seeds, reduction in cultivation cost, less disease & pests, difficulties in post-harvest processing & storage
02
Rajma HUR 301
Benefits from scheme
HYV Seed, Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium), Bio-Pesticide (Trichoderma), Micro-nutrient formulation
Farmer’s view
HYV seeds, reduction in cultivation cost, less disease attack
03
Rajma Tripura Rajma Sel-1
Benefits from scheme
Seed, Bio-pesticide (Trichoderma), Fungicide, Insecticide, Micronutrients formulation
Farmer’s view
HYV seeds, reduction in cultivation cost, less disease & pest attack
04
Black Gram IPU 10-26
Benefits from scheme
Seed, Fertilizers like Urea, SSP & MOP, Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium), Bio-pesticide (Trichoderma), Micronutrients formulation
Farmer’s view
HYV seeds, reduction in cultivation cost, less disease & pest attack, difficulties in post-harvest processing & storage
05
Lentil L-4717
Benefits from scheme
Seed, Fertilizers like Urea, SSP & MOP, Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium), Bio-pesticide (Trichoderma), Fungicide, Insecticide, Herbicide, Micronutrients formulation, Winnower
Farmer’s view
HYV seeds, suitability in rice fallows, reduction in production cost, difficulties in post-harvest processing & storage
06
Rajma HUR 301
Benefits from scheme
Seed, Fertilizers like Urea, SSP & MOP, Bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium), Bio-pesticide (Trichoderma), Fungicide, Insecticide, Herbicide, Micronutrients formulation, Winnower
Farmer’s view
HYV seeds, high demand in local Agartala Market, reduction in cultivation cost
Net profit is reprinted as the institute publishes it. For 2 of the 6 farmers it does not equal actual income minus production cost: Mr. Kshitish Das — published ₹9,856, arithmetic gives ₹9,845 ; Mr. Sripad Debnath — published ₹18,000, arithmetic gives ₹19,000. Every other row adds up.
South Tripura district
One-day Farmers’ Training-cum-Input Distribution Programmes on “Good Agricultural Practices of Summer Black Gram and Green Gram” were successfully conducted at Doulbari, Sabroom (15 March 2026) and Haripur, Hrsishyamukh (18 March 2026) of South Tripura district. Approximately 100 farmers actively participated in the programme. The initiative aims to bring about cultivation of summer pulses in around 8 ha in Sabroom and 30 ha in Hrishyamukh sub-division.
Field-level demonstrations on seed treatment using Trichoderma viride and line sowing of pulses using a manual seed drill were also conducted, enabling farmers to gain practical knowledge of improved cultivation practices.
Following the training, the project team led by Dr. Abhijit Saha visited Rajma and Lentil fields in South Tripura, covering intervention areas of 25 ha (Rajma) and 35 ha (Lentil). Scientific crop cut evaluations were conducted in both local and improved variety plots. The results indicated an estimated yield increase of 12–15% in improved varieties. Farmers observed better pod number and seed size in improved varieties such as Kashipur Farash Bean (Rajma) and L-4717 (Lentil). The programme received positive feedback from farmers, who expressed satisfaction with the technical support, input supply, and demonstrated benefits of improved agricultural practices.
The institute’s gallery for this programme carries eight photographs, four of which are the same files already shown under the Rajma demonstration above. Only the four that are not repeated are shown here.
Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, Imphal
An eight-day intensive training programme exclusively for farmers on “Recent Advances in Pulse Production Technologies for Strengthening Food and Nutritional Security among Smallholder Farmers in North East India” ran from 23 to 30 March 2026 under “Promotion of Pulses in NEH Region” in collaboration with ICAR–Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur.
8 days
23 to 30 March 2026
39
Farmers, including farm women, participating
The programme was organized by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, Imphal with the objective of enhancing the knowledge and skills of smallholder farmers on improved pulse production technologies suited to the agro-ecological conditions of the North Eastern Hill region.
The inaugural session was graced by Dr. S. Basanta Singh, Head of Regional Centre, as the Chief Guest, who emphasized the importance of pulses in ensuring nutritional security and improving soil health in the region. Dr. Kh. Rishikanta Singh, Senior Scientist (Agricultural Economics) attended as the Guest of Honour and highlighted the economic benefits of adopting improved technologies. Dr. N. Anando Singh, Course Director and Senior Scientist (Agronomy) outlined the objectives and structure of the training programme, stressing the importance of climate-resilient and low-cost technologies for farmers. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Tania Chongtham, Scientist (Horticulture).
During the training, farmers were provided with hands-on exposure to improved and high-yielding pulse varieties, climate-resilient production practices, integrated nutrient and pest management, natural farming approaches, cropping system diversification, rice fallow management, and seed production techniques. Experts from ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre and Central Agricultural University, Imphal delivered lectures on various aspects of pulse production and management. The initiative is expected to significantly contribute towards enhancing pulse production, improving soil health, reducing cost of cultivation, and strengthening food and nutritional security among smallholder farmers in North East India.
