Tripura Launches ₹236 Crore Queen Pineapple Mission to Boost Global Exports

Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Tuesday launched the ambitious ₹236 crore “Mission Queen Pineapple” in Tripura, aiming to transform the state’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple into a globally recognised premium brand. The initiative, launched in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, will be implemented over a three-year period from Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028.

The mission seeks to establish a complete pineapple value-chain ecosystem in Tripura by integrating cultivation, processing, branding, packaging and exports. Anchored by MDoNER, the programme will bring together various central ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Food Processing Industries, Commerce, MSME, APEDA, DPIIT, ICAR, CSIR, TRIFED, NERAMAC and the Government of Tripura.

Addressing farmers, investors and stakeholders virtually, Scindia said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the North Eastern Region into a hub of high-value agricultural and horticultural products. He stated that Tripura’s agricultural strengths are now being developed into globally competitive brands.

The Union Minister emphasized that the mission is not limited to increasing pineapple production but aims to empower farmers across the entire value chain. According to him, farmers will be integrated into production, aggregation, processing, branding and export systems to ensure higher income and sustainable livelihoods.

Scindia noted that despite Tripura Queen Pineapple being known for its unique aroma, sweetness, low-fiber texture and GI-tagged identity, farmers currently receive only commodity-level prices due to poor market integration and lack of infrastructure. He said the mission would bridge these gaps through market-oriented interventions and convergence-led investments.

One of the key components of the mission is the creation of a “Hub and Spoke” post-harvest ecosystem. A central hub will be developed near Agartala airport, while eight spoke collection centers will be set up across pineapple-growing districts such as West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala. The infrastructure will include grading units, cold storage systems, reefer transport facilities, solar-powered cold storage, IoT-enabled farm monitoring and digital traceability mechanisms.

The minister also announced the revival of the Nalkata Pineapple Processing Unit under a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model. The project will be implemented by NERAMAC in partnership with private companies to support large-scale pineapple processing and value-added product manufacturing.

Highlighting the mission’s bio-economy strategy, Scindia said that nearly 60 percent of the pineapple plant, which is currently discarded as waste, will now be utilized for value-added industries. This includes Bromelain extraction, Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) processing and GI-branded confectionery production. He said the move would create new livelihood opportunities for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), tribal communities and rural entrepreneurs while promoting a circular economy.

Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha said pineapple has been declared the State Fruit of Tripura and noted that the state’s Queen and Kew pineapple varieties are cultivated naturally in hilly terrain without chemical inputs. He highlighted that Tripura pineapples are known for their sweetness, juiciness and aroma.

The Chief Minister added that the state government is focusing on value addition, food processing, packaging, branding and market connectivity to improve farmers’ incomes and create employment opportunities in rural areas. He expressed confidence that support from MDoNER would help establish Tripura pineapple as a strong international brand.

Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath also thanked MDoNER for launching the mission and highlighted its importance for the state’s farmers and agricultural economy.

MDoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju, while explaining the mission framework, pointed out that small pineapple growers currently earn only ₹6 to ₹10 per kilogram at the farmgate level, despite processed and export-grade products commanding much higher prices in domestic and international markets.

He said the mission aims to address structural issues such as post-harvest losses, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, lack of commercial-scale processing facilities, weak branding and limited GI monetisation systems.

The initiative will also include GI authorisation workshops, QR-based traceability systems, export-readiness programmes, organic certification support, buyer-seller meets and annual flagship events such as the “Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival” to be held around International Pineapple Day on June 27.

The Mission Queen Pineapple initiative is expected to position Tripura as a major player in the global pineapple market while boosting sustainable livelihoods, farmer-led growth and export-oriented development in the Northeast.