Tripura marks a major agricultural milestone with its first organic honey export to the UAE, as 47,000 farmers drive organic growth and international buyers explore Queen Pineapple, ginger, turmeric, jackfruit, honey and other certified organic products at Agartala’s International Organic Buyer-Seller Meet.
Tripura entered a significant new chapter in its agricultural journey with the first-ever export of the state’s organic honey to an overseas market, as Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath flagged off a 1,000-kilogram consignment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the International Organic Buyer-Seller Meet at Hotel Polo Towers in Agartala.
The landmark export was described as an important step towards establishing Tripura’s organic agricultural products in international markets and creating new opportunities for farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), producers and entrepreneurs across the state.
The International Organic Buyer-Seller Meet was organised by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department with support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The event brought together international buyers, farmers, FPO representatives, government officials and other stakeholders to promote Tripura’s certified organic agricultural produce.
A total of 51 international buyers from countries including New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, South Korea, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Greece and the Philippines participated in the event. The gathering provided a platform for direct interaction between international buyers and Tripura’s farmer groups, with the aim of expanding market access and strengthening agricultural exports from the state.
Speaking at the programme, Minister Ratan Lal Nath highlighted the importance of the first overseas shipment of organic honey, saying that while Tripura’s organic honey had previously reached other parts of India, the UAE consignment marked its first export to an international market.
The minister identified Madhuban in North Tripura as a promising centre for honey production and expressed confidence that the state would be able to increase honey production and exports in the coming years.
Tripura has witnessed substantial growth in organic farming over the past several years. According to the figures highlighted at the event, the area under organic cultivation has increased from around 2,000 hectares before 2018 to approximately 26,000 hectares at present. Nearly 47,000 farmers are now engaged in organic farming practices across the state.
Nath said agriculture continues to remain a crucial pillar of Tripura’s economy and stressed that government initiatives are aimed at improving farmers’ welfare, expanding markets and ensuring better returns for agricultural produce. He also emphasised the need to promote Tripura’s farmers and their products at village, district, state, national and international levels.
The buyer-seller meet showcased a range of Tripura’s traditional and commercially promising organic agricultural products. Among the major attractions were the state’s renowned Queen Pineapple, Sabri banana, aromatic lemon, jackfruit, ginger, turmeric and organic honey.
The Queen Pineapple continued to draw considerable attention from visiting international buyers. One participating buyer praised the quality of Tripura’s pineapple and other agricultural products after tasting them during the event, reflecting the growing interest in the state’s produce among overseas markets.
The event also featured 12 stalls displaying Tripura’s agricultural products and providing buyers with an opportunity to understand the quality, variety and potential of the state’s organic produce.
Technical sessions were organised to facilitate direct discussions between international buyers, farmer groups and producers. The interactions focused on market requirements, export opportunities, product quality and ways to establish stronger commercial links between Tripura’s agricultural sector and global markets.
Several business opportunities emerged during the meet, including confirmed orders for a 1,000-metric-tonne consignment for markets outside Tripura. The developments are expected to encourage farmers and FPOs to increase production while focusing on quality and international standards.
APEDA played an important role in facilitating the organic honey export by Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), marking a significant achievement for Tripura’s farmer-producer ecosystem.
The state government has also stressed the importance of certified organic production, with support from APEDA and the Central Government helping farmers and producer organisations access wider markets.
Senior officials and dignitaries present at the event included APEDA Senior Consultant Dr Tarun Bajaj, Agriculture and Horticulture Department Secretary Apurba Roy, IFOAM Organics Asia Executive Director Jennifer Chang, TSOFDA Mission Director Rajib Debbarma and Agriculture and Horticulture Department Director Phani Bhushan Jamatia.
The first organic honey export to the UAE is being viewed as more than a single commercial shipment. It represents an effort to connect Tripura’s farmers directly with international demand and build a stronger identity for the state’s agricultural products in the global marketplace.
With nearly 47,000 farmers now involved in organic practices and the area under organic cultivation expanding significantly, Tripura is seeking to transform its agricultural strengths into sustainable export opportunities.
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The government’s broader objective is to ensure that high-quality products grown on Tripura’s soil reach consumers beyond the state and India, while helping farmers secure better prices, new markets and additional income opportunities.
The International Organic Buyer-Seller Meet has therefore emerged as an important platform in Tripura’s push to strengthen organic agriculture and expand its presence in international markets.
