Agartala Mar 30: In a significant step toward sustainable agriculture and healthier living, Tripura’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, inaugurated a state-of-the-art pineapple processing center in Pushkarbari, Amtali Village, under the Charilam Block of Sepahijala District of Tripura, on Sunday.
Later, in a social post, the Minister wrote, “I inaugurated a pineapple processing center today in the Amtali Village Council area, under the Bishramganj Sub-Directorate of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, as part of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region project”.
He further wrote, “The Neermahal Organic Farmer Producer Company Limited, comprising a total of 500 organic farmers, is managing this processing center.
An organic outlet has also been opened in Bishramganj to sell the produced goods. I believe that through this initiative, organic farmers will not only become self-reliant but also inspire and guide others on this path”
The event underscored the state’s unwavering commitment to organic farming—a movement heralded as the bedrock of both national progress and public well-being.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our country’s advancement,” Minister Nath declared during his address.
“To stay physically healthy, we need pure, untainted food, and organic farming is the key to ensuring that purity.”
“To stay physically healthy, we need pure, untainted food, and organic farming is the key to ensuring that purity.”
He highlighted how crops cultivated through organic methods—free from synthetic chemicals—offer a wholesome alternative to conventional produce.
The newly opened facility, a pioneering initiative under a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), marks Tripura’s first venture into pineapple processing through such a framework, signaling a transformative shift in the state’s agricultural landscape. The minister drew attention to the broader vision driving this initiative.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed special emphasis on promoting organic farming nationwide, with a keen focus on food quality,” Nath noted.
“In Tripura, we are aligning with this vision. From pineapples to a variety of other crops, organic cultivation is gaining momentum here.”
He emphasized that the state government has made agriculture a top priority, establishing an FPO in every block to empower farmers and streamline production.
“Pushkarbari center, built at a cost of Rs 18 lakh under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region project …….”
The Pushkarbari center, built at a cost of Rs 18 lakh under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region project, exemplifies this commitment. An additional Rs 11 lakh were invested in a storage room to support the facility’s operations.
Nath painted a vivid picture of the state’s organic ambitions. “Farmers are our sustenance providers—the true annadatas,” he said, urging society to honor their contributions.
“No land should ever lie fallow. We must cultivate crops best suited to each plot, maximizing both yield and quality.”
The minister’s words resonated with the audience, reinforcing the idea that organic farming is not just a method but a movement to uplift rural communities and ensure food security.
The event also featured Supriya Das Dutta, President of the Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, who echoed the minister’s optimism.
“The central and state governments are working relentlessly to double farmers’ incomes,” she said.
“Through initiatives like this, farmers are already seeing tangible benefits.” Dutta praised the collaborative efforts that made the processing center a reality, noting its potential to boost local economies while promoting sustainable practices.
The ceremony was enriched by contributions from other dignitaries, including Apurba Roy, Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department; Director Phanibhushan Jamatia; and Joint Director Rajib Debbarma. Jakulu Debbarma, Chairman of Charilam BAC, presided over the proceedings, while a host of notable guests—including Pintu Aich, Vice President of Sepahijala Zilla Parishad; Gouranga Bhowmik, member; Khela Bhowmik, Chairperson of Charilam Panchayat Samiti; Upendra Jamatia, Additional District Magistrate; and social workers Biplab Chakraborty and Tapas Das—lent their support to the occasion.
Another highlight of the day was the release of a catalog on organic farming by Minister Nath, a document aimed at educating and inspiring farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices.
He also handed out seed licenses to three individuals and distributed crop seeds to four others, symbolizing the state’s investment in its agricultural future.
