In a significant move to enhance the pineapple sector in Tripura, Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, and Tripura's Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath jointly launched the 'Mission Queen Pineapple, Tripura' in New Delhi on Wednesday. The mission has been allocated a budget of Rs 236 crore.
Focus on Queen and Kew Varieties
Minister Ratan Lal Nath highlighted that Tripura's exceptional agro-climatic conditions have established it as one of India's primary pineapple-producing regions. The state primarily cultivates the Queen and Kew varieties, predominantly grown by tribal farmers.
Queen Pineapple: The State Fruit with GI Tag
The 'Queen Pineapple', designated as the state fruit of Tripura and holding a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, stands out for its distinct qualities. It is the most aromatic, golden-yellow, and low-fibre cultivar compared to other pineapple varieties.
Despite these premium attributes, smallholder growers in Tripura currently receive farm gate prices ranging from Rs 6 to Rs 10 per kilogram. This is significantly lower than the potential value of Rs 80 to Rs 150 per kilogram that processed or export-grade Queen pineapple can fetch in domestic and international markets, Nath noted.
Nutritional and Taste Profile
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stated that Tripura's pineapples are widely renowned as the finest in the country, especially the Queen Pineapple. It is known for its spiny, golden-yellow appearance, sweet taste, pleasant aroma, and juicy flesh. The fruit is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, and C, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Dr. Saha also mentioned that the Total Soluble Solids (TSS), which indicates sweetness, of the Queen Pineapple ranges from 13 to 17.2 degrees Brix, with an acidity level of 0.6 to 0.8 percent. This provides a well-balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Export History and Future Prospects
The export journey of Tripura's Queen pineapple variety began on June 3, 2018, with shipments to markets in Dubai. This was followed by exports to Qatar, Oman, and Bangladesh, along with the export of canned pineapple to Germany and Russia.
The launch of Mission Queen Pineapple aims to bridge the gap between current low farm gate prices and the higher value that processed and export-grade pineapples can achieve. The mission is expected to boost the income of smallholder farmers and strengthen Tripura's position in the global pineapple market.
