Guwahati, May 28: In a major bid to position Tripura’s famed Queen Pineapple in premium international markets, the Centre on Wednesday launched the ₹236-crore “Mission Queen Pineapple”, a three-year initiative aimed at transforming the state’s pineapple economy through modern infrastructure, processing, branding and export-focused interventions.
The mission, unveiled by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia alongside Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, will be implemented from FY2026 to FY2028 and seeks to build an integrated value-chain ecosystem around Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple, prized for its aroma, sweetness and low-fibre texture.
Addressing farmers, processors and investors virtually, Scindia said the initiative fits into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the Northeast into a hub for high-value agricultural and horticultural products.
“Tripura’s agricultural strengths are being converted into globally competitive brands,” Scindia said, adding that the mission aims to shift the sector from raw fruit sales to value-added processing and exports.
Officials said pineapple growers currently earn only ₹6 to ₹10 per kilogram at the farmgate despite strong domestic and export demand for the fruit.
A major component of the project is the development of a “Hub and Spoke” post-harvest ecosystem, featuring a central processing hub near Agartala airport and eight collection centres across West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala districts. The proposed infrastructure includes grading and sorting units, cold storage facilities, reefer transportation systems, solar-powered storage and digital traceability mechanisms.
The mission also plans to revive the Nalkata Pineapple Processing Unit through a Viability Gap Funding model involving NERAMAC and private sector participation to support large-scale processing and production of value-added pineapple products.
In a significant bio-economy initiative, nearly 60 per cent of pineapple plant waste will be utilised for extracting bromelain, producing pineapple leaf fibre and manufacturing GI-branded confectionery products. The government said the move could open up new livelihood opportunities for women’s self-help groups, tribal communities and rural entrepreneurs.
Chief Minister Manik Saha said Tripura’s Queen and Kew pineapples are cultivated naturally in the state’s hilly terrain without chemical inputs, contributing to their distinctive flavour and aroma. He added that the state government is focusing on food processing, packaging and branding initiatives to strengthen market access and generate rural employment.
The mission will also support GI monetisation, QR-based traceability systems, organic certification, export-readiness measures and annual “Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival” celebrations linked to International Pineapple Day on June 27.
Also Read: ‘Talk less, walk more’: Shylla lists MDA gains, seeks MP support for Jaintia Hills
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
