**Executive Summary**
The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched "Mission Queen Pineapple" in Tripura, a ₹236 crore initiative to establish a comprehensive value-chain ecosystem for the state's GI-tagged Queen Pineapple. The mission follows a three-year implementation roadmap from Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028, focusing on infrastructure development, processing, and global branding. Key action items include the revival of processing units and the establishment of a "Hub & Spoke" post-harvest network to increase farmer income.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Mission Objectives and Implementation**
* **Strategic Vision:** To transform Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple into a globally competitive premium brand through a convergence-led approach involving multiple central ministries and the state government.
* **Timeline and Budget:** A ₹236 crore investment scheduled for execution over three years, concluding in Q4 FY2028.
* **Value Chain Integration:** Moving beyond simple cultivation to involve farmers in aggregation, processing, branding, packaging, and exports.
**Infrastructure and Technology**
* **Hub & Spoke Model:** Establishment of one central hub near Agartala airport and eight spoke collection centers across West Tripura, Khowai, and Sepahijala districts.
* **Post-Harvest Facilities:** Deployment of grading facilities, cold storage, reefer logistics, and solar-powered cold storage.
* **Digital Systems:** Implementation of IoT-enabled farm monitoring and QR-based digital traceability systems to ensure quality and transparency.
**Processing and Bio-economy Strategy**
* **Industrial Revival:** Utilizing a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model and NERAMAC partnerships to revive the Nalkata Pineapple Processing Unit for commercial-scale value addition.
* **Waste Valorization:** Converting approximately 60% of the pineapple plant (previously discarded) into value-added products, including Bromelain extraction and Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) processing.
* **Circular Economy:** Promoting GI-branded confectionery units to strengthen the circular economy and create entrepreneurial opportunities.
**Marketing and Branding**
* **GI Monetization:** Hosting GI authorization workshops and establishing frameworks for structured GI monetization and buyer-seller meets.
* **Promotion:** Organizing annual flagship events, such as the “Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival,” aligned with International Pineapple Day on 27 June.
* **Certifications:** Providing support for organic certification and export-readiness measures to bridge the gap between farmgate prices (₹6–10 per kg) and high-value international markets.
**Impact Analysis**
**Pineapple Farmers**
**Impact:** Farmers will transition from selling raw commodities at low prices to becoming active participants in a high-value global supply chain, significantly reducing post-harvest losses.
**Action Required:** Engage with the new "Hub & Spoke" collection centers and participate in organic certification and GI authorization programs.
**NERAMAC and Private Investors**
**Impact:** These entities are positioned as key partners in industrial revival and commercial-scale processing.
**Action Required:** Collaborate under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model to operationalize the Nalkata Processing Unit and develop value-added products.
**Women SHGs, Tribal Communities, and Rural Entrepreneurs**
**Impact:** The bio-economy strategy creates new specialized roles in fiber processing, Bromelain extraction, and confectionery production.
**Action Required:** Leverage the Mission’s interventions to establish micro-enterprises and participate in value-addition activities.
**Government of Tripura and MDoNER**
**Impact:** These bodies are responsible for the convergence of various schemes and the successful execution of the three-year roadmap.
**Action Required:** Facilitate infrastructure development, provide technical support for IoT/traceability systems, and organize global branding events like the "Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival."
Key Entities Referenced
Tripura Queen Pineapple Mission: A ₹236 crore convergence-led initiative (FY2026–FY2028) aimed at developing an integrated value-chain ecosystem and global brand for Tripura’s GI-tagged fruit.
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER): The lead Union Ministry anchoring the mission and coordinating convergence across multiple central ministries and the state government for implementation.
Tripura: The focus state for the mission's applicability, specifically targeting pineapple-growing clusters in West Tripura, Khowai, and Sepahijala districts.
North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC): An implementing body tasked with reviving processing units and facilitating commercial-scale value addition for pineapple-based products through public-private partnerships.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launches
₹236 Crore Tripura Queen Pineapple Mission
Under Hon`ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision,
Tripura’s agricultural strengths are being transformed into
globally competitive brands
Union Minister highlights GI-tagged Queen Pineapple as a
flagship product with global premium potential
Posted On: 27 MAY 2026 8:22PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M.
Scindia, together with the Chief Minister of Tripura, today launched the “Mission Queen Pineapple”, a
₹236 crore convergence-led initiative for pineapple cultivation and value chain development in the State
of Tripura. The Mission is designed as a three-year implementation roadmap from Q2 FY2026 to Q4
FY2028 for promoting Tripura’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) — the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple.
Anchored by MDoNER , the Mission builds upon convergence with Schemes and interventions of the
Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Commerce, MSME, APEDA,
DPIIT, ICAR, CSIR, TRIFED, NERAMAC and the Government of Tripura for establishing an integratedpineapple value-chain ecosystem in the State.
Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region underscored Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi’s vision of positioning the North Eastern Region as a hub of high-value agricultural and horticultural
products.
Addressing the stakeholders including the pineapple farmers, processors and investors joining virtually,
Shri Scindia stated, “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Tripura’s agricultural strengths are
being transformed into globally competitive brands.”
The Minister highlighted that the objective is not merely crop cultivation, but enabling farmers to become
active players across the entire value chain — from production and aggregation to processing, branding,
packaging and exports.
Emphasising the Mission’s broader approach, Shri Scindia said, “Our goal is to build a complete value
chain—from farm to global markets—so that farmers become active participants in the prosperity created
by their produce.”
The Minister observed that while Tripura Queen Pineapple possesses a unique aromatic profile, low-fiber
texture and GI-backed distinctiveness, farmers continue to receive commodity prices due to weak market
integration and inadequate infrastructure. He noted that the Mission aims to bridge this gap through
convergence-led investments and market-oriented interventions that will significantly enhance farmer
value realisation.
Highlighting the major infrastructure components under the Mission, the Minister stated that the
programme will establish a “Hub & Spoke” integrated pineapple post-harvest ecosystem comprising one
central Hub near Agartala airport and eight spoke collection centers across major pineapple-growing
clusters of West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala districts. The infrastructure will include grading facilities,
cold storage, reefer logistics, solar cold storage, IoT-enabled farm monitoring and digital traceability
systems.The Minister further highlighted the revival of the Nalkata Pineapple Processing Unit through a Viability
Gap Funding (VGF) model to be implemented by NERAMAC in partnership with private partners. The
facility will support commercial-scale processing and value addition for pineapple-based products.
Referring to the Mission’s bio-economy strategy, the Minister stated that nearly 60 percent of the
pineapple plant, presently discarded as waste, would be converted into value-added products through
Bromelain extraction, Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) processing and GI-branded confectionery units. He
emphasised that these interventions would create new opportunities for women SHGs, tribal communities
and rural entrepreneurs while strengthening the circular economy around pineapple cultivation.
As part of the launch programme, a short film on the Pineapple Mission was screened, followed by
interactions with progressive pineapple farmers from Tripura and remarks by investors and industry
representatives.
Chief Minister of Tripura Prof.(Dr) Manik Saha said that pineapple was declared the State Fruit of
Tripura. He highlighted that Tripura’s renowned Queen and Kew varieties of pineapple are grown
naturally in the state’s hilly terrain without chemical inputs, making them exceptionally sweet, juicy and
aromatic.
He further stated that the State Government is promoting value addition, food processing, packaging,
branding and market linkages to enhance farmers’ income and generate employment opportunities in rural
areas. Expressing confidence in the support of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region(MDoNER), he said the initiative would help bridge productivity gaps and establish Tripura pineapple as a
global brand.
Agriculture Minister of Tripura Shri Ratan Lal Nath also highlighted the mission objectives and thanked
MDoNER for the initiative.
Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, MDoNER in his introductory remarks elaborated on the implementation
framework of the Mission and highlighted the need for a Mission-mode approach to unlock the full
economic potential of Tripura Queen Pineapple. He underlined that despite being among the most
aromatic and low-fiber pineapple cultivars in India, smallholder growers presently receive only ₹6–10 per
kilogram at the farmgate level, whereas processed and export-grade products can command significantly
higher value in domestic and international markets.
The Secretary further highlighted that the Mission seeks to systematically address major structural gaps in
the sector, including post-harvest losses, lack of integrated cold-chain infrastructure, absence of
commercial-scale processing facilities, weak branding and limited structured GI monetisation and buyer-
linkage systems.
The Mission activities would also include GI authorisation workshops, QR-based traceability systems, GI
monetisation frameworks, buyer-seller meets, organic certification support, export-readiness measures and
annual flagship events such as the “Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival”, aligned with International
Pineapple Day on 27 June.
The Mission envisions transforming Tripura Queen Pineapple into a globally recognised premium brand
while strengthening sustainable livelihoods, farmer-led value creation and export-oriented growth across
the State.
The launch event was attended by officials of MDoNER and the Government of Tripura along with
farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.Our glorious Tripura Queen Pineapple is set to rule the world…🍍🇮🇳
Delighted to launch the ₹236 crore Tripura Queen Pineapple Mission along with
Hon’ble CM of Tripura @DrManikSaha2 ji under @MDoNER_India’s USP initiative,
creating a complete farm-to-global-market ecosystem… pic.twitter.com/tG0zRAi
Nii
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) May 27, 2026
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PS
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