Agartala (Tripura), July 9: Tripura is emerging as a promising player in the organic food export market, having exported over 1,332 metric tons of organically grown produce in the past three years. This includes high-value crops such as pineapple, bird’s eye chilli, ginger, turmeric, and fragrant rice, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced during the state’s first-ever Organic Buyer-Seller Meet on Wednesday.
Highlighting the state’s progress in organic farming, the Minister shared that Tripura has developed more than 25,000 hectares of certified organic farmland and formed 53 Organic Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), certified by authorized agencies.
Breakup of Exports
In terms of product-wise exports over the last three years, the state has shipped:
- 666 metric tons of Queen variety pineapple
- 574 metric tons of ginger
- 52 metric tons of turmeric
- 33 metric tons of aromatic rice
- 7 metric tons of bird’s eye chilli
“These exports have reached not only domestic markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Guwahati but also international destinations such as Oman, Dubai, and Dhaka,” Nath said.
Organic Farming: A Sustainable Future
Emphasizing the growing demand for clean and traceable food, the Minister said, “Today’s consumers want more than food—they want food that is safe, chemical-free, and ethically produced. Organic farming isn’t a trend, it’s a global solution to health, climate, and environmental crises.”
Tripura, he asserted, is not merely adopting organic agriculture—it is building a comprehensive value chain, from production to marketing. The state is promoting a range of crops including:
Queen & Kew variety pineapple
- Bird’s eye chilli
- Black rice (Maimi Hungar)
- Aromatic rice varieties (Harinarayan, Kalikhasa)
- Scented lemon, turmeric, ginger, millet, and sesame
- Tripura’s Niche Organic Products
Tripura’s Queen pineapple, which has secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, is renowned for its low acidity and high natural sweetness—ideal for juice and dessert processing. The region’s Kew variety also thrives in the state’s naturally humid and hilly terrain with minimal chemical inputs.
In addition to pineapples, Tripura’s aromatic rice varieties are highly sought after for their rich fragrance, texture, and taste. The bird’s eye chilli, high in capsaicin, is celebrated for its health benefits, including enhanced metabolism and digestion.
Furthermore, the scented lemon cultivated in the state is valued for its strong citrus aroma and finds uses in perfumery, aromatherapy, natural cleaners, and as a flavor enhancer in food and beverages.
Organic Market Potential
Citing national figures, Nath stated that India currently has 7.3 million hectares under organic certification with an annual production of 6.3 million metric tons, and exports amounting to 2.61 lakh metric tons, valued at ₹4,007 crore.
He described the Buyer-Seller Meet as more than a commercial platform: “This is about building trust and long-term partnerships. Tripura may be a small state, but we have a big vision.”
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Nath urged traders, exporters, and policymakers to visit the farms to witness the organic cultivation of pineapple, chilli, rice, ginger, turmeric, and other crops first-hand, adding that such visits would foster better understanding and encourage fair trade practices.
As Tripura continues to expand its organic farming landscape, it is steadily carving out a space in India’s growing organic export ecosystem, positioning itself as a key contributor to Organic India.
