"Pineapple is a symbol of Tripura's cultural identity:" CM Manik Saha at Tripura Global Pineapple Festival 2026
Agartala, June 28
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha attended the Tripura Global Pineapple Festival 2026, organised in New Delhi on Saturday.
During the event, Tripura CM said that pineapple plays a significant role in the cultural and social life of Tripura, and the Queen pineapple is now playing a special role in taking the state to the global stage.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a message on the occasion of this Pineapple Festival. I received the message sent by the Prime Minister last night. In this message, the Prime Minister congratulated the Tripura Government on the inauguration of the Tripura Global Pineapple Festival. He also congratulated the Ministry of DoNER and the concerned department. The Prime Minister also mentioned the famous Queen pineapple of Tripura in his message," said CM Saha.
Chief Minister Saha further asserted that the Pineapple Festival would serve as a catalyst for farmers, traders, exporters, and researchers to contribute to the state's path of progress and development.
"Through such initiatives, various opportunities, including livelihood generation, will open up, and Tripura will move forward towards greater development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed hope that Tripura will play an important role in building a developed India," said CM Saha.
During the discussion, the Chief Minister said that pineapple has emerged as the second most important horticultural crop in the state.
"In Tripura's climate, pineapple has emerged as the second most important horticultural crop. It is not only an agricultural product but also a symbol of the state's cultural identity and economic prosperity. The story of pineapple cultivation in Tripura is a long one. This delicious fruit is grown naturally across the state's hills, valleys, and plains. For generations, local tribal communities and farmers have cultivated pineapples, and the sector has flourished because of their dedication," said CM Saha.
CM Saha further said that the famous Queen variety of pineapple has earned global recognition due to the state's farmers' efforts.
"The Queen pineapple has now received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition in India. Pineapple is cultivated on around 12,000 hectares of land in Tripura, with an annual production of approximately 1.78 lakh metric tonnes. On June 7, 2018, the Tripura Government declared pineapple as the state's official fruit. The Queen and Kew varieties are widely cultivated in the hilly regions of the state. The Queen variety has carved a unique identity across the country due to its exceptional taste and aroma", added CM Saha.
He also said that pineapple plays a significant role in the cultural and social life of Tripura. After receiving the GI tag, there have been significant improvements in the pineapple value chain. During 2018-19, Tripura exported 33 metric tonnes of Queen and Kew pineapples to Dubai, Qatar, Oman, and Bangladesh. In addition, 74 metric tonnes were exported to Germany and Russia, while 15,400 metric tonnes were marketed in various other states of the country.
The European market, especially the UK and Germany, has shown great enthusiasm for the GI-tagged Tripura Queen pineapple. It also has a strong market in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
"The Tripura Queen variety of pineapple is in great demand across South Asia," added CM Saha.
Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar, Tripura Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath, MP Rajib Bhattacharya, Agriculture Department Secretary Apurba Roy, and other senior officials were present as distinguished guests at the event.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone from the Northeast, I appreciate efforts to promote our unique produce. But I hope the government focuses equally on sustainability and fair prices for small farmers, not just big exporters. The tribal communities who have cultivated this for generations deserve direct benefits, not middlemen.
Queen pineapple is indeed the best! I had it once when visiting Agartala - the sweetness and aroma are unmatched. Happy to see it getting global recognition. But 1.78 lakh metric tonnes production and exports to Europe? That's impressive. Hope we see more such GI-tagged products from the Northeast. 🍍🎉
Living in the UK, I've seen Indian produce gaining traction here. The Queen pineapple would do well in European markets - it's unique enough to stand out. However, the logistics from Tripura to Europe need serious improvement. Infrastructure in the Northeast still lags behind.
Good to see our state getting attention! But I'm skeptical - these festivals are often photo ops. Real change needs better cold storage, transport links, and market access for farmers in remote areas of Tripura. Also, why is the PM always sending messages instead of attending these events personally for Northeast states? 🤔
As a foodie, I'd love to try the Queen pineapple! The GI tag really adds value. But I wonder how much of this produce actually reaches regular Indian consumers like us. We often hear about exports but the local markets in Tripura might still struggle.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.