Agartala – Tripura is rapidly emerging as a significant player in India’s organic agriculture sector, showcasing impressive growth with over 25,000 hectares of certified organic farmland and the export of 1,332 metric tons of organic produce in the past three years. This notable achievement was announced by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath at the inaugural Organic Buyer-Seller Conference held today at Hotel Polo Towers in Agartala.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Nath underscored the global shift towards safe, chemical-free, and traceable food. “The world today is not just demanding food — it demands food that is safe, chemical-free, and traceable,” he stated, emphasising the pivotal role of organic farming. He asserted that organic agriculture is not a passing trend but a “future-ready solution” to tackle pressing global challenges related to health, climate, and soil. The Minister highlighted Tripura’s holistic approach, affirming, “Tripura is not just adopting organic practices — we are building an entire ecosystem from farm to fork.”
The state’s commitment to organic cultivation is evident in the formation of 53 certified organic Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). These FPCs are actively promoting the cultivation of high-value crops, including the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple, Kew Pineapple, Bird’s Eye Chilli, Black Rice (Maimi Hungar), Aromatic Rice (Harinarayan, Kalikhasa), Scented Lemon, Turmeric, and Ginger. Minister Nath elaborated on the unique qualities of these crops, noting that the naturally sweet and low-acidity Queen Pineapple is ideal for premium juice and dessert production, while the high-capsaicin Bird’s Eye Chilli is not only a culinary delight but also offers health benefits like boosting metabolism and aiding digestion.
Tripura’s organic products have successfully penetrated major Indian markets such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Guwahati, and have also reached international shores, with exports to Oman, Dubai, and Dhaka. The Minister provided specific export figures for the past three years: 666 MT of pineapple, 574 MT of ginger, 52 MT of turmeric, 33 MT of aromatic rice, and 7 MT of bird’s eye chilli.
Minister Nath concluded the conference by highlighting the broader objective of the Buyer-Seller Meet, stating, “This Buyer-Seller Meet is not just about trading goods — it’s about building trust, transparency, and lasting partnerships.” He extended an invitation to all attendees to witness the dedication of Tripura’s farmers firsthand, remarking, “Tripura may be a small state, but our vision and ambition are big. I invite everyone to visit our fields and experience firsthand the commitment of our farmers.” His final call to action resonated with the audience: “Let’s unite and make Organic Tripura a leading force in Organic India.”
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