Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Tripura officials are pushing the state's Queen pineapple onto the world stage. The government plans to increase cultivation from 12,000 to 15,000 hectares over the next three years. Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath confirmed the expansion during a recent briefing in New Delhi.
The state is also building two bromelain extraction centres in Agartala and Gomati district. Bromelain adds value to the crop for use in drugs and cosmetics. A 234-crore project funded by state and central agencies will handle the processing and marketing push.
The Queen pineapple earned a Geographical Indication tag in 2018. It is also the official state fruit. Current yields hit 1.78 lakh metric tonnes annually. This variety is prized for its sweetness.
Tripura will host the Global Pineapple Festival at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from June 27 to 29. The event aligns with International Pineapple Day. Organizers invited top officials, including Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, to attend the showcase.
Nath emphasized the broader goals behind the festival. "The objective is not only to take Tripura's pineapple to the global stage but also to promote the state's tourism, culture and other sectors," Nath said. The festival will feature 25 stalls and honor top-performing growers.
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