Tripura to host Pineapple Mahotsav in Delhi from June 27-29: Ratan

Agartala, May 13: In a move to boost the Queen Pineapple worldwide, the Tripura government has decided to organise Pineapple Mahotsav in Delhi from June 27 to 29, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ratan Lal Nath said on Tuesday.

He chaired a meeting with officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture, Forest, Handloom and other departments, along with MP Rajib Bhattacharya to review the preparedness for the upcoming event.
The Minister said that the state government would organise a Pineapple Mahotsav in New Delhi where people from across the world will participate.

“Our Queen Pineapple, which is GI-tagged and also the state fruit, is very important. To promote it worldwide and to benefit pineapple farmers, we are celebrating International Pineapple Day for three days from June 27. The program will start on June 27 and end on June 29 in New Delhi. We are trying to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the program and Home Minister Amit Shah as well. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the cabinet ministers of Delhi, and Members of Parliament will also be invited,” he said.

The Agriculture Minister informed that with the help of Ministry of DoNER and the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Tripura government, Rs 236 crore will be spent on a scheme for Queen Pineapple to promote it in the global market.

“In 12,097 hectares of land we produce 1.77 MT of queen pineapple. After our government came, we have exported Queen Pineapple to Dubai, Germany, Oman, and Russia. Our Queen Pineapple is world famous for its sweet taste,” he said. 

The government is setting up cold chambers, collection centers, processing units, and refrigerated vans. For marketing and branding, we are taking steps, he said.

Nath further stated that the government would also set up a processing centre to manufacture thread from the leaf of Queen Pineapple. 

This Rs. 236 crore will be spent on these projects in Jampuijala, Mohanpur block, Mohanbhog block, Boxanagar block, Kathalia block, Killa block, Padma Bill, Mungiakami, Tulasikhar, Manu, Gandatwisa, Durgachowmuhani block, Kumarghat, Gournagar, and Chandipur block, where maximum funds for these projects will be spent. The Ministry of DoNER is extending necessary support, he added.