Centre Launches ₹236 Crore Tripura Queen Pineapple Mission
Scindia unveils mission to transform GI-tagged Tripura pineapple into a global premium brand
- Centre launched ₹236 crore Mission Queen Pineapple in Tripura
- Initiative aims to build integrated pineapple value chain ecosystem
- Mission includes cold storage, processing units and export support
- GI-tagged Queen Pineapple to be promoted as global premium product
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th May: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday launched the ₹236 crore “Mission Queen Pineapple” in Tripura to strengthen pineapple cultivation, processing and exports in the state.
The three-year mission, running from Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028, aims to promote Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple as a globally recognised premium agricultural brand.
The initiative, anchored by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, will involve convergence of schemes and interventions from multiple ministries and agencies including Agriculture, Food Processing, Commerce, MSME, APEDA, ICAR, CSIR, TRIFED and the Government of Tripura.
Addressing farmers, processors and investors virtually, Scindia said the mission aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the Northeast into a hub of high-value agriculture and horticulture products.
“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Tripura’s agricultural strengths are being transformed into globally competitive brands,” the minister said.
He added that the objective is not limited to crop cultivation but also includes integrating farmers into the complete value chain involving processing, branding, packaging and exports.
The mission will establish a “Hub & Spoke” pineapple post-harvest ecosystem comprising one central hub near Agartala airport and eight spoke collection centres across West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala districts. Planned infrastructure includes grading units, cold storage facilities, reefer logistics, solar cold storage systems and IoT-enabled digital traceability systems.
The programme will also revive the Nalkata Pineapple Processing Unit through a Viability Gap Funding model to be implemented by NERAMAC in partnership with private players.
Scindia highlighted that nearly 60 per cent of pineapple plant material currently discarded as waste would be converted into value-added products through Bromelain extraction, pineapple leaf fibre processing and GI-branded confectionery production.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said pineapple has been declared the state fruit and noted that Tripura’s Queen and Kew varieties are naturally grown without chemical inputs, making them exceptionally sweet and aromatic.
The mission will also include GI authorisation workshops, QR-based traceability systems, export-readiness measures, buyer-seller meets and annual “Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival” events aligned with International Pineapple Day on June 27.
