NEW DELHI: Tripura‘s agriculture and farmers welfare minister, Ratan Lal Nath, marked a milestone in the state’s agricultural exports by flagging off a consignment of 600 kg of queen pineapples bound for Oman at Agartala Railway Station on Thursday. The shipment is set to travel through Guwahati before being flown to Oman.
At the flagging-off ceremony, minister Nath emphasized the increasing demand for Tripura’s agricultural products.“We are sending 600 kg of queen pineapples through the Guwahati Express. It will ultimately reach Oman via a flight from Assam,” Nath stated. He further revealed that there are orders for an additional 5 metric tons (MT) of the queen variety pineapple to be sent to Dubai, with discussions underway to export 30 MT of Kew variety pineapples to Holland.
The demand for Tripura’s agricultural products extends beyond pineapples. Following a recent visit to Germany, Minister Nath highlighted the growing interest in Tripura’s diverse produce, saying, “We have received orders for black rice, bird’s eye chili, Kali Khasa, and black sesame in substantial quantities after consultations with buyers over there.” This demonstrates a broadening international appetite for Tripura’s unique agricultural offerings.
At the flagging-off ceremony, minister Nath emphasized the increasing demand for Tripura’s agricultural products.“We are sending 600 kg of queen pineapples through the Guwahati Express. It will ultimately reach Oman via a flight from Assam,” Nath stated. He further revealed that there are orders for an additional 5 metric tons (MT) of the queen variety pineapple to be sent to Dubai, with discussions underway to export 30 MT of Kew variety pineapples to Holland.
The demand for Tripura’s agricultural products extends beyond pineapples. Following a recent visit to Germany, Minister Nath highlighted the growing interest in Tripura’s diverse produce, saying, “We have received orders for black rice, bird’s eye chili, Kali Khasa, and black sesame in substantial quantities after consultations with buyers over there.” This demonstrates a broadening international appetite for Tripura’s unique agricultural offerings.
- Price surge: The price of Tripura’s queen pineapples has increased from Rs 2 per piece in 2018 to Rs 32 per piece, reflecting a staggering 1500% surge reflecting heightened demand and value of the fruit in both domestic and international markets.
- Export milestone: Tripura’s overseas exports of queen pineapples and other Fruits are expected to reach 50,000 kg in 2024, marking a significant boost in the state’s export capacity. The current consignment of 600 kg Queen Pineapple to Oman is part of this expanding export strategy.
- Agricultural transformation: Since 2018, Tripura has seen a significant transformation in its agricultural sector, with pineapple production rising from 1.27 lakh MT in 2017-18 to 1.72 lakh MT in 2022-23. This growth is attributed to the state’s efforts in enhancing marketing facilities and promoting quality production.
- Export diversification: In addition to pineapples, Tripura is also exporting other agricultural products such as jackfruit, ginger, wood apple, and betel leaf. Government initiatives: The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) has been instrumental in facilitating these exports. NERAMAC is hosting a horticulture promotion fair in Indore on June 22, exclusively showcasing Tripura’s agricultural products to attract more international buyers.
- Geographical Indication (GI) Tags: Tripura is actively seeking GI tags for its unique products, including the queen pineapple, Rignai and Risha (indigenous ladies’ costumes), and Matabari Peda (a sweet milk product). These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the visibility and credibility of the state’s agricultural products in global markets.
- Economic impact: Farmers now receive Rs 32 per kg for pineapples, compared to Rs 2 per piece during the previous administration in 2018. The increased demand has also led to higher prices for pineapples in the local market, ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 40 per piece.
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