Has Tripura Developed 25,000 ha of Organic Land and Exported 1,300 MT Produce?

Agartala, July 9 (NationPress) The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department of Tripura has successfully exported 1,332 metric tons of organic goods, such as scented rice, bird’s eye chilli, ginger, turmeric, and delightful pineapple, to various countries and numerous Indian states over the past three years, announced Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday.

During the inaugural Organic Buyer-Seller meet, the minister revealed that the state has cultivated over 25,000 hectares of certified organic land.

“In the past three years, we have exported 1,332 metric tons of organic produce, which includes 666 metric tons of pineapple, 33 metric tons of scented rice, 7 metric tons of bird’s eye chilli, 574 metric tons of ginger, and 52 metric tons of turmeric,” he stated.

Nath emphasized that the global demand is not only for food but for safe, chemical-free, and traceable food products.

“Organic agriculture is not a trend; it is a sustainable solution to the global challenges of health, climate change, and soil deterioration. Tripura is poised to spearhead this transformation. We are not merely adopting organic methods; we are establishing a comprehensive ecosystem from farm to fork. We have developed over 25,000 hectares of certified organic land and established 53 Organic Farmer Producer Companies recognized by authorized certification bodies,” Nath expressed.

The Minister highlighted that the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department has promoted the cultivation of high-value crops, including the Queen variety pineapple, Bird’s Eye Chilli, Black Rice (Maimi Hungar), Aromatic Rice (Harinarayan, Kalikhasa), scented lemon, sesame, turmeric, ginger, millet, and Kew variety pineapple.

The state's Queen variety pineapple has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its naturally sweet flavor with low acidity, making it perfect for premium juice and dessert processing.

Tripura is famous for its Queen and Kew varieties of pineapple, thriving in the state's unique hilly and humid climate with minimal chemical usage. These pineapples are golden yellow and emit a distinctive, pleasant aroma when ripe, noted Nath, who also oversees the Power Department.

The Minister noted that the organic market in India is expanding rapidly, with 7.3 million hectares registered under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), yielding 6.3 million metric tons and an export volume of 2.61 lakh metric tons, valued at Rs 4,007 crore.

This 'Buyer-Seller Meet' serves as more than just a goods exchange; it acts as a platform for building trust, transparency, and enduring partnerships. Nath urged, “Let’s join forces to make ‘Organic Tripura’ a leading power in Organic India. While Tripura may be a small state, our aspirations are vast.”

The Minister encouraged everyone to visit farmers’ fields to witness firsthand the cultivation of pineapple, fragrant rice, bird’s eye chilli, ginger, turmeric, and other crops.

He further mentioned that the state’s Aromatic Rice (Harinarayan & Kalikhasa) is sought after for its unique fragrance, fine texture, and exceptional taste.

Bird’s Eye Chilli is rich in capsaicin, renowned for enhancing metabolism, serving as a natural pain reliever, and aiding digestion and blood flow, he highlighted.

According to the Minister, the scented lemon produced in the state is characterized by its strong citrus fragrance, making it ideal for use in perfumery, aromatherapy, culinary flavoring, and natural cleaning products.

“We have linked our organic farmers with market opportunities in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Guwahati, while also exporting to Oman, Dubai, and Dhaka. Over the last three years, our state has achieved significant success in marketing organic pineapple, aromatic rice, bird’s eye chilli, ginger, and turmeric,” he concluded.