Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 formally launched 'Mission Queen Pineapple, Tripura', a three-year project worth ₹236 crore funded through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), aimed at transforming the state's GI-tagged Queen Pineapple into a globally recognised export brand.

Context

The virtual launch was held from Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, and was attended by Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and Tripura Agriculture Minister Shri Ratan Lal Nath. Dr. Saha described the mission as a 'transformative' initiative that will 'strengthen processing infrastructure, build robust market linkages, and elevate Tripura's state fruit into a global brand.'

The Queen Pineapple holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognising it as a product unique to Tripura. The GI designation provides a legal framework for branding and premium pricing in domestic and international markets.

Policy Backdrop

MDoNER, established in 2001, has consistently channelled funds into value-addition and agri-processing schemes across the eight northeastern states. Mission Queen Pineapple is the latest in a series of such interventions designed to reduce post-harvest losses and build export-oriented supply chains in the region.

The project sits squarely within India's Act East Policy, formally unveiled in 2014, which seeks to deepen economic integration between the northeastern states and Southeast Asia. Dr. Saha specifically credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'unwavering support and visionary leadership through the Act East Policy' for 'unlocking new avenues of growth and prosperity for the Northeast.' Comparable horticultural missions have been rolled out in other northeastern states to connect the region with ASEAN markets.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries are Tripura's pineapple farmers and rural households dependent on horticulture. The mission's stated goals include minimising yield gaps, expanding export opportunities, and accelerating rural economic growth.

By investing in processing infrastructure, the project addresses a chronic challenge in northeastern agriculture — the absence of cold-chain and value-addition facilities that forces farmers to sell at low prices immediately after harvest. Stronger market linkages are expected to give growers access to both domestic premium retail and overseas buyers.

What's Next

Over the three-year project period, the key metrics to watch will be the rollout timelines for new processing units and the trajectory of Tripura's pineapple export volumes. Success in building a supply chain around the GI-tagged variety could serve as a replicable model for other niche agricultural products across the Northeast.

If the mission delivers on its targets, it would mark a significant step in Tripura's transition from subsistence horticulture to an export-oriented agri-economy, with implications for farmer income levels and the state's broader rural development indicators.