Tripura's queen variety pineapples sent to Delhi for global delegates

Time of India

4 hours ago

Agartala: The first consignment of fresh queen variety pineapples from Tripura was dispatched to Delhi on Monday with support from the Bengaluru-based International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture.
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Harvested from an orchard in Badyardighi area of Bishalgarh under Sepahijala district, around 150kg of premium-quality pineapples were flown to Delhi on special request from a private trader. The produce will be served to an international delegation.
Hanif Mia, a pineapple farmer cultivating one hectare of land, shared that he has already sold Rs 70,000 worth of produce since the season began a month ago. With technical and financial assistance from Bishalgarh horticulture sub-division officials, local farmers are experiencing renewed optimism in pineapple farming.
"Like previous years, we will export Queen variety pineapples to the Middle East, Europe, and East Asian countries, along with major Indian metros, in the coming weeks. In the next phase, Kew variety pineapples will be sold in domestic and international markets. Production has been impressive this year, and demand is notably high," said agriculture and farmers welfare minister Ratan Lal Nath.
Apart from pineapples, Tripura has seen a substantial yield of mangoes, jackfruits, and watermelons this season.
Markets are witnessing a steady supply of crossbred and high-yielding mango varieties, including Amrapali, Himsagar, Rupali, and Anamika, at relatively affordable prices, the minister added.
"The supply of mangoes from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh has significantly declined this season. Even fruit vendors outside Tripura are preferring locally grown mangoes. Our goal is to establish Tripura as a mango supplier in India within the next two to three years, similar to its reputation for pineapples," he said.
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Over the past seven years, Tripura's pineapples have gained international recognition, leading to a threefold increase in commercial cultivation driven by rising global demand. Encouraged by this success, farmers have expanded to other crops, with jackfruit and lemon from Tripura being exported to Dubai and London in recent years.
Despite the state's potential to produce world-class fruits, farmers have historically struggled with market access.
For years, their produce was sold at lower prices in neighbouring Assam or informally traded across the Bangladesh border.
Lack of proper market connectivity had once discouraged many farmers, prompting a shift to rubber cultivation. However, since the BJP-led govt assumed office in 2018, significant efforts have been made to promote and market Tripura's horticultural products.
Agartala: The first consignment of fresh queen variety pineapples from Tripura was dispatched to Delhi on Monday with support from the Bengaluru-based International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture.
Harvested from an orchard in Badyardighi area of Bishalgarh under Sepahijala district, around 150kg of premium-quality pineapples were flown to Delhi on special request from a private trader. The produce will be served to an international delegation.
Hanif Mia, a pineapple farmer cultivating one hectare of land, shared that he has already sold Rs 70,000 worth of produce since the season began a month ago. With technical and financial assistance from Bishalgarh horticulture sub-division officials, local farmers are experiencing renewed optimism in pineapple farming.
"Like previous years, we will export Queen variety pineapples to the Middle East, Europe, and East Asian countries, along with major Indian metros, in the coming weeks. In the next phase, Kew variety pineapples will be sold in domestic and international markets. Production has been impressive this year, and demand is notably high," said agriculture and farmers welfare minister Ratan Lal Nath.
Apart from pineapples, Tripura has seen a substantial yield of mangoes, jackfruits, and watermelons this season.
Markets are witnessing a steady supply of crossbred and high-yielding mango varieties, including Amrapali, Himsagar, Rupali, and Anamika, at relatively affordable prices, the minister added.
"The supply of mangoes from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh has significantly declined this season. Even fruit vendors outside Tripura are preferring locally grown mangoes. Our goal is to establish Tripura as a mango supplier in India within the next two to three years, similar to its reputation for pineapples," he said.
Over the past seven years, Tripura's pineapples have gained international recognition, leading to a threefold increase in commercial cultivation driven by rising global demand. Encouraged by this success, farmers have expanded to other crops, with jackfruit and lemon from Tripura being exported to Dubai and London in recent years.
Despite the state's potential to produce world-class fruits, farmers have historically struggled with market access.
For years, their produce was sold at lower prices in neighbouring Assam or informally traded across the Bangladesh border.
Lack of proper market connectivity had once discouraged many farmers, prompting a shift to rubber cultivation. However, since the BJP-led govt assumed office in 2018, significant efforts have been made to promote and market Tripura's horticultural products.