Tripura Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday, 25 June announced that the state government plans to expand Queen variety pineapple cultivation from 12,000 hectares to 15,000 hectares over the next three years. The Minister made the announcement in New Delhi ahead of the Tripura Global Pineapple Festival 2026, scheduled from 27 to 29 June at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.

Expansion Plan and Value Addition

At the heart of the expansion drive is a ₹234 crore project backed by the Central government and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), aimed at strengthening marketing, processing, branding, and export infrastructure for the Queen pineapple. As part of the push, two bromelain extraction centres will be set up in Agartala and the Gomati district.

Bromelain — a commercially valuable enzyme derived from pineapple — finds widespread application in the pharmaceutical, food processing, and cosmetic industries, making it a high-potential avenue for agro-industrial growth in the state. Officials say the extraction plants are expected to create additional income streams for farmers beyond raw fruit sales.

Tripura Global Pineapple Festival 2026

The three-day festival, organised by Tripura's Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Horticulture Departments, coincides with International Pineapple Day on 27 June. A total of 25 exhibition stalls will showcase pineapple-based products, agricultural innovations, organic produce, and sectors linked to Tripura's broader economy.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha have been invited to attend. Three outstanding Queen pineapple farmers are to be honoured at the event for their contributions to the sector.

Why the Queen Pineapple Matters

Pineapple cultivation currently covers more than 12,000 hectares in Tripura, yielding an annual production of approximately 1.78 lakh metric tonnes. The state grows two major varieties — Queen and Kew — with the Queen variety holding the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and having been declared the state fruit of Tripura in 2018.

Tripura Chief Minister Saha noted that both varieties are grown naturally in the state's hilly terrain without chemical inputs, lending them their characteristic sweetness, juiciness, and aroma. The GI tag has helped position the Queen pineapple as a premium product in national and international markets.

Broader Policy Context

Minister Nath credited the Centre's Act East Policy with opening new market avenues for agricultural produce from the northeastern region. He said the festival's objective extends beyond horticulture — it is also a platform to promote Tripura's tourism potential, cultural heritage, and bamboo sector before national and international delegates.

Present at the media briefing were Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department Secretary Apurba Roy, Director of Horticulture Phanibhusan Jamatia, and Mission Director of the Tripura Organic Mission Rajib Debbarma. The festival is expected to draw significant attention to the northeast's agri-export potential at a critical moment for the region's economic integration.