Tripura Launches ₹236 Crore Mission Queen Pineapple To Boost Farmers’ Income And Global Exports

The mission was jointly launched in New Delhi by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath. It aims to transform Tripura’s Queen Pineapple into a global brand by addressing structural gaps in cultivation, processing, and marketing.

Mission Objectives

• The Detailed Project Report (DPR), titled “Pineapple Cultivation and Value Chain Development,” outlines a roadmap to:
• Expand cultivation areas and modernise farming practices
• Establish cold storage, grading units, and processing facilities
• Create direct market linkages for farmers
• Promote value-added products like juices, jams, and canned pineapples

Farmer Benefits

Tripura’s Queen Pineapple, known for its distinct aroma, golden-yellow colour, low fibre content, and sweetness (13–17.2° Brix), already holds a GI tag. Despite its premium quality, farmers currently earn only ₹6–₹10 per kg at farm gate, compared to ₹80–₹150 per kg for processed or export-grade produce. The mission seeks to close this gap and ensure fair returns.

Export Potential

Tripura began exporting Queen Pineapples in 2018 to Dubai, later expanding to Qatar, Oman, Bangladesh, Germany, and Russia. The mission will strengthen exports further through a hub-and-spoke model, with a central hub near Agartala airport and eight spoke centres across major pineapple clusters.

Waste-To-Wealth Initiatives

The project also focuses on converting pineapple biomass into bromelain extract, pineapple leaf fibre (PALF), and GI-branded confectionery, opening new income streams for women self-help groups, tribal communities, and rural entrepreneurs.

Agricultural Development Highlights

•⁠  ⁠₹236 crore three-year mission launched jointly by Centre and Tripura government

•⁠  ⁠Implementation from FY 2026 to FY 2028 with multi-ministry support

•⁠  ⁠Over 25,000 farmers expected to benefit directly

•⁠  ⁠GI-tagged Queen Pineapple promoted as premium export product

•⁠  ⁠Hub-and-spoke model with cold storage, grading, and processing units

•⁠  ⁠Waste-to-wealth initiatives including bromelain extract and pineapple leaf fibre

Sources: Tripura Chronicle, The Economic Times, The Purbottar