New Delhi: Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Member of Parliament Rajib Bhattacharjee urged the Centre to establish a dedicated Pineapple Park and modern cold storage facilities in Tripura to support farmers cultivating the state’s famous Queen Pineapple.
Highlighting the importance of the crop for the local economy, Bhattacharjee said a large section of Tripura’s tribal population depends on pineapple cultivation for their livelihood. He noted that nearly 33 per cent of the state’s tribal farmers are engaged in producing the premium variety, making it a crucial source of income and economic stability in the region.
“Our tribal farmers must receive fair prices and access to global markets. For this, Tripura urgently needs a Pineapple Park, modern cold storage infrastructure, and export incentives,” Bhattacharjee said while addressing the House. He stressed that better infrastructure and value-added processing facilities would significantly enhance farmers’ earnings and open new market opportunities.
The MP recalled that on June 7, 2018, the then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, declared the Queen Pineapple as the state fruit of Tripura. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the granting of a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to the fruit, providing it national and international recognition.
Through the Chair, presided over by C. P. Radhakrishnan, Bhattacharjee appealed to the government to take immediate steps to establish a Pineapple Park in the state. Such a facility, he said, would help in canning, packaging and producing value-added products, thereby boosting farmers’ incomes.
He also emphasised the need for modern cold storage infrastructure to support exports of the Queen Pineapple and ensure the fruit retains its quality during transportation to international markets.
“Queen Pineapple is not just a fruit; it represents Tripura’s identity. Strengthening infrastructure for farmers will secure their future and strengthen the state’s economy,” Bhattacharjee added.
Farmers’ groups and agricultural stakeholders in Tripura have welcomed the intervention, viewing it as a significant step toward transforming the state’s pineapple industry into a global success story.
