Tripura Fruit Processing Centre Boost aims to support pineapple growers with modern facility in Agartala
Agartala | July 16, 2025
The Tripura government has approved the establishment of a fruit processing centre in Nalkata, North Tripura, aimed at supporting local pineapple farmers and expanding agro-processing capacity in the state.
The centre, to be developed through a public–private partnership, will focus on value addition to Tripura’s GI-tagged ‘Queen’ pineapple, which has seen a steady rise in both domestic demand and export potential.
Officials from the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department said the facility will provide infrastructure for grading, cold storage, juice extraction, and packaging, helping reduce post-harvest losses and improving farmer incomes.
In 2025, the state exported 73 metric tonnes of Queen pineapple, up from 7.5 MT in 2018. During this period, the average price per piece rose from ₹8–9 to over ₹40, largely due to enhanced market linkages and branding efforts.
“The processing centre will help stabilise prices and reduce waste during the peak season,” a department official said.
Farmers in the region have welcomed the move. “With no storage or buyers in sight during harvest time, we often sell cheap. This centre can make a real difference,” said Mohan Debbarma, a grower from Ramnagar.
Tripura contributes nearly 8% of India’s pineapple output, and the Queen variety has been exported to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The government expects to lay the foundation stone later this year, with operations likely to begin by mid-2026.
Experts say the success of the project will depend on ensuring fair access for small farmers and maintaining transparency in procurement.
The project is part of Tripura’s broader goal to strengthen rural livelihoods through agro-industry development and export diversification.
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