In a significant boost to agricultural innovation and sustainable development in the North-East, the NITI Aayog has sanctioned a major grant for a pioneering project in Assam. The central government's policy think tank has approved funding of Rs 1.64 crore for the 'Lakhipur Zero Waste Pineapple Innovation' project located in the Cachar district of Assam.
Approval and Project Details
The financial approval was granted during the 47th meeting of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries for the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme. This crucial meeting was conducted via video conference on November 20, 2025, under the leadership of the CEO of NITI Aayog. The formal communication regarding the sanction was issued by the Under Secretary to the Government of India this past Saturday.
The sanctioned proposal specifically targets the Lakhipur block and involves the establishment of a dedicated Zero Waste Pineapple Innovation Hub. The project is slated to run for a period of one year and three months. With the total outlay of Rs 1.64 crore, the initiative is designed to revolutionize the local pineapple industry by focusing on complete utilization of the fruit and its by-products, thereby minimizing waste to the greatest extent possible.
Goals and Expected Impact
The core mission of this project is threefold: to promote value addition, to generate employment, and to advance environmental sustainability. Officials involved state that the hub will strengthen the entire local pineapple value chain through advanced processing techniques, innovation in product development, and comprehensive skill development programs.
The initiative is expected to create fresh livelihood avenues for key segments of the rural population, including local farmers, women self-help groups (SHGs), and rural youth in the Lakhipur area. By adopting a zero-waste approach, the project intelligently aligns economic growth with ecological responsibility, ensuring that development does not come at the cost of the environment.
Local Administration's Response
Welcoming the central grant, Cachar District Commissioner Mridul Yadav hailed the approval as a milestone for the district's agrarian economy. He emphasized that the funds would be instrumental in enhancing the value addition of locally grown pineapples, which in turn would create jobs and empower farmers and budding entrepreneurs.
Yadav further assured that the district administration is fully committed to the effective and timely implementation of the project, strictly adhering to the vision laid out by NITI Aayog. This project positions Lakhipur as one of the growing number of aspirational blocks across India that are leveraging targeted central support to unlock their inherent local potential.
This move reinforces the broader national objective of fostering inclusive, sustainable, and outcome-driven development in regions identified for accelerated growth.
