Experimental grape farming kindles interest among scientists

A farmer's successful attempt at growing grapes in a village in Tripura, considered as climatically unsuitable for the fruit plant, has made agricultural scientists in the state sit up and take notice.
Muktal Hussain, a farmer of Rangkang village in Gomati district, is so happy, and surprised too, with his experimental planting of grape plants, which gave him enough fruits, that he now dreams of setting up a vineyard.
The Additional Director of the state Agriculture Department, Baharul Islam, said, "We have come to know that grapes are being grown well in Boxanagar and some other villages in Sipahijala district."

However, he said, it is yet to be scientifically tested if its large-scale cultivation would be suitable in the agro-climatic condition of Tripura.
"We are nonetheless assessing if it will be suitable for cultivation in the state," he told PTI.
Agricultural scientists in general agree that a hot and dry climate is needed, in addition to rainfall not exceeding 900 cm, for the maturing of buds, which obtains in Tripura, but the cancelling factor is excessive humidity.
So, extensive experiment by scientists is necessary to determine if commercial production is viable, they say.