Agartala: May 16: In a landmark moment for Tripura’s horticulture sector, a consignment of fresh Queen variety pineapples from Bishalgarh in Sepahijala district was dispatched to New Delhi on Monday. This marked the first-ever shipment from the region to the national capital via a farmer-producer company, supported by the International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), Bengaluru.
The 150 kg consignment was harvested from the Badyardighi area and airlifted to Delhi at the request of a private trader. These pineapples will be served to an international delegation and several Indian dignitaries, highlighting Tripura’s potential in premium fruit production.
Local leaders, including Bishalgarh MLA Sushanta Deb and Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Atashi Das, were present during the dispatch. Horticulture officials such as Superintendent Himanish Laskar and Sector Officer Prabir Dutta expressed pride in their team’s efforts, noting the growing impact on farmer livelihoods.
One such farmer, Hanif Mia, who cultivates pineapples on one hectare, has already earned Rs 70,000 this season with support from the Bishalgarh Horticulture Sub-Division. The initiative reflects a broader trend, as pineapple farming in Tripura has tripled in recent years, driven by rising demand both in India and abroad.
Tripura’s pineapples have gained popularity in the UK and Middle East markets, with similar success seen in the export of jackfruit to Dubai and London. However, farmers previously struggled with limited market access, often selling at low prices in Assam or across informal routes to Bangladesh.
MLA Sushanta Deb credited the BJP-IPFT government, which came to power in 2018, for revitalizing the sector by promoting fruit cultivation and reclaiming fallow land. He also praised Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath for inspiring agricultural entrepreneurship among the youth.
