PM Modi envisions NE as hub for high-value agri products: Scindia
New Delhi, May 27
Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to transform the North Eastern region into a major hub for high-value agricultural and horticultural products.
Jointly with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and the state's Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath, launching the Rs 236 crore 'Mission Queen Pineapple, Tripura', Scindia stated, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Tripura's agricultural strengths are being transformed into globally competitive brands."
The Minister highlighted that the objective is not merely crop cultivation, but enabling farmers to become active players across the entire value chain, from production and aggregation to processing, branding, packaging, and exports.
The Mission is designed as a three-year implementation roadmap from the second quarter (Q2) of financial year 2026 (FY2026) to the fourth quarter (Q4) of FY2028 for promoting Tripura's Unique Selling Proposition (USP), the Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Queen Pineapple.
Anchored by the Ministry of DoNER, the mission builds upon convergence with schemes and interventions of the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Commerce, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), TRIFED, NERAMAC and the Tripura government for establishing an integrated pineapple value-chain ecosystem in the state.
Emphasising the Mission's broader approach, Scindia said: "Our goal is to build a complete value chain -- from farm to global markets -- so that farmers become active participants in the prosperity created by their produce."
The Minister observed that while Tripura Queen Pineapple possesses a unique aromatic profile, low-fibre texture, and GI-backed distinctiveness, farmers continue to receive commodity prices due to weak market integration and inadequate infrastructure. He noted that the Mission aims to bridge this gap through convergence-led investments and market-oriented interventions that will significantly enhance farmer value realisation.
Highlighting the major infrastructure components under the Mission, the Minister stated that the programme will establish a "Hub & Spoke" integrated pineapple post-harvest ecosystem comprising one central Hub near Agartala airport and eight spoke collection centres across the major pineapple-growing clusters in West Tripura, Khowai, and Sepahijala districts.
The infrastructure will include grading facilities, cold storage, reefer logistics, solar cold storage, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled farm monitoring, and digital traceability systems.
The Minister further highlighted the revival of the Nalkata Pineapple Processing Unit through a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model to be implemented by NERAMAC in partnership with private partners. The facility will support commercial-scale processing and value addition for pineapple-based products.
Referring to the Mission's bio-economy strategy, the Minister stated that nearly 60 per cent of the pineapple plant, presently discarded as waste, would be converted into value-added products through Bromelain extraction, Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) processing, and GI-branded confectionery units.
He emphasised that these interventions would create new opportunities for women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs), tribal communities, and rural entrepreneurs while strengthening the circular economy around pineapple cultivation.
As part of the launch programme, a short film on the Pineapple Mission was screened, followed by interactions with progressive pineapple farmers from Tripura and remarks by investors and industry representatives.
Tripura Chief Minister Saha said that pineapple was declared the state fruit of Tripura. He highlighted that Tripura's renowned 'Queen' and 'Kew' varieties of pineapple are grown naturally in the state's hilly terrain without chemical inputs, making them exceptionally sweet, juicy, and aromatic.
He further stated that the state government is promoting value addition, food processing, packaging, branding, and market linkages to enhance farmers' income and generate employment opportunities in rural areas.
Expressing confidence in the Ministry of DoNER's support, Saha said the initiative would help bridge productivity gaps and establish Tripura pineapple as a global brand.
Tripura Agriculture Minister Nath also highlighted the mission objectives and thanked the Ministry of DoNER for the initiative.
DoNER Ministry Secretary Sanjay Jaju, in his introductory remarks, elaborated on the Mission's implementation framework and highlighted the need for a mission-mode approach to unlock the full economic potential of Tripura Queen Pineapple.
He underlined that despite being among the most aromatic and low-fibre pineapple cultivars in India, smallholder growers presently receive only Rs 6-10 per kilogram at the farmgate level, whereas processed and export-grade products can command significantly higher value in domestic and international markets.
The Secretary further highlighted that the Mission seeks to systematically address major structural gaps in the sector, including post-harvest losses, lack of integrated cold-chain infrastructure, absence of commercial-scale processing facilities, weak branding, and limited structured GI monetisation and buyer-linkage systems.
The Mission activities would also include GI authorisation workshops, QR-based traceability systems, GI monetisation frameworks, buyer-seller meets, organic certification support, export-readiness measures, and annual flagship events such as the "Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival", aligned with International Pineapple Day on June 27.
The Mission envisions transforming Tripura Queen Pineapple into a globally recognised premium brand while strengthening sustainable livelihoods, farmer-led value creation, and export-oriented growth across the state.
The launch event was attended by officials from the Ministry of DoNER and the Tripura government, along with farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see govt focusing on NE's unique produce. But let's not forget - earlier promises like 'Act East Policy' have seen limited ground implementation. Farmers getting only Rs 6-10 per kg despite GI tag shows the real problem is middlemen and lack of market access. Mission should ensure MSP or similar price guarantee for these farmers. Also curious how the Hub near Agartala airport will handle logistics - NE's connectivity still patchy.
Wow, pineapple waste to Bromelain and fiber? That's innovative! 🌿 Also love the focus on women SHGs and tribal communities. But I wish the article mentioned how many farmers will directly benefit - numbers matter. And why only 3 years? Such value chain transformations need longer horizon. Hope the Nalkata processing unit revival with VGF model works - earlier attempts at similar units in NE have often failed due to maintenance issues.
As someone who's tasted Tripura's Queen Pineapple, it's indeed superior to what we get in metros. The aromatic profile is unmatched. But the real challenge is scaling quality while maintaining GI standards. Also, with 8 spoke centers across 3 districts, hope this covers most growers. One suggestion: include mobile processing units for remote areas. And please ensure the 'Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival' becomes an annual event like the Hornbill Festival - it could boost agri-tourism too!
Interesting initiative. I've seen similar projects in Southeast Asia where government support transformed local fruit economies. The convergence of multiple ministries shows serious intent. However, the article focuses heavily on infrastructure but doesn't mention training for farmers on quality standards and export compliance. Also, organic certification support is mentioned vaguely - hope that includes cost subsidies. NE's naturally grown produce could be India's answer to organic food export demand.
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