In a major push for Tripura’s horticulture sector, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday launched the ambitious ‘Mission Queen Pineapple’ project in New Delhi. The three-year initiative aims to strengthen the export ecosystem for Tripura’s famous pineapples through modern infrastructure, technology integration, and global market expansion.
Key Takeaways
- Centre launches Rs 236 crore ‘Mission Queen Pineapple’ project for Tripura
- Eight central agencies to build a sustainable pineapple export value chain
- Modern cold storage, AI-based monitoring, and QR traceability systems planned
- Tripura pineapples already reaching markets in Dubai and Germany
Tripura Pineapples Earning Global Recognition
Agartala: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the pineapples cultivated in Tripura are helping enhance India’s reputation in international markets. He noted that the fruit’s superior quality has already attracted attention in countries where it is exported.
Speaking during the launch event, Scindia recalled an interaction with Germany’s Agriculture Minister during an official overseas visit. According to him, the German minister praised the quality of Indian pineapples despite never having visited India.
Scindia said he later discovered that the fruits being discussed were exported from India under the Krishi Udaan Scheme, which was introduced during his tenure as Union Civil Aviation Minister. The initiative enabled farmers to transport agricultural produce to international destinations at subsidised freight rates.
He added that premium pineapples grown in the Northeast, especially in Tripura, are now successfully entering markets such as Dubai and Germany. According to the Minister, these exports are not only generating income for farmers but also strengthening India’s image abroad.
Rs 236 Crore Investment for Sustainable Value Chain
The newly launched Mission Queen Pineapple project seeks to create a complete and sustainable value chain for pineapple growers in Tripura.
Scindia informed that eight central government agencies are participating in the initiative. The total project outlay stands at Rs 236 crore.
He said the Tripura government will contribute Rs 20 crore, while the DoNER Ministry has sanctioned Rs 45 crore. The Union Agriculture Ministry will provide Rs 30 crore, and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has committed Rs 25 crore.
Additionally, organisations and departments such as APEDA, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of MSME, and ICAR are also contributing financial and technical support to the mission.
Focus on Infrastructure and Technology
The Union Minister explained that the project will cover the entire process from cultivation to export marketing.
He said authorities have identified 25 major activities under the scheme. These include modern harvesting systems, GI monetisation, market linkage development, and technological upgrades.
To ensure timely implementation, the government has prepared a structured monitoring framework with quarterly reviews. Officials will assess progress based on a pre-defined roadmap.
Scindia expressed confidence that the initiative would help introduce Tripura’s distinctive pineapple varieties to wider global markets.
Hub-and-Spoke Model Planned Across Tripura
The project will also create modern infrastructure facilities across the state through a hub-and-spoke model.
According to the Minister, one central hub will come up near Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala. Alongside this, eight spoke centres will be established in different parts of Tripura.
These facilities will include integrated cold storage units, reefer transportation systems, and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled farm monitoring technology.
The Minister further stated that QR-based traceability systems and Artificial Intelligence tools will support quality monitoring and supply-chain management.
He added that the mission will also strengthen buyer connectivity and improve market intelligence mechanisms to support exporters and farmers.
‘Waste-to-Wealth’ Initiative Proposed
Scindia also highlighted plans to utilise pineapple waste for value-added production.
He said residual materials from pineapple cultivation can be transformed into commercially viable products through bromelain extraction and fibre extraction from pineapple leaves.
The Minister further proposed manufacturing GI-branded confectionery products from pineapple-based raw materials, describing it as a “waste-to-wealth” approach.
Tripura CM Manik Saha Joins Launch Event
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath also attended the programme.
Following the launch, Dr Saha shared details of the initiative on social media. He described Mission Queen Pineapple as a transformative project aimed at strengthening Tripura’s agricultural economy and increasing global recognition for the state’s premium pineapple variety.
The Chief Minister joined the programme virtually from Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi alongside Union Minister Scindia and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath.