Rajya Sabha MP Bhattacharjee demands Pineapple Park and cold storage in Tripura to support Queen Pineapple farmers, boost exports, ensure fair prices for tribal cultivators, and strengthen the state’s agricultural economy through modern infrastructure and global market access.
In a strong appeal for strengthening Tripura’s agricultural economy, Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee raised the issue of infrastructure support for pineapple farmers in the Upper House on Tuesday, urging the central government to establish a dedicated Pineapple Park and modern cold storage facilities in Tripura. His intervention highlighted the economic importance of the state’s renowned Queen Pineapple and the urgent need to support the tribal communities who depend on it for their livelihood.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Bhattacharjee emphasized that the Queen Pineapple is not only a premium agricultural product but also a vital source of income for thousands of tribal farmers across the northeastern state. According to the MP, nearly 33 percent of Tripura’s tribal population is engaged in cultivating this high-quality pineapple variety, making it a key pillar of rural economic activity.
“Our tribal farmers must receive fair prices and access to global markets. For this, Tripura urgently needs a Pineapple Park, modern cold storage facilities, and export incentives,” Bhattacharjee told the House while raising the matter during the session.
The MP also recalled a landmark moment in Tripura’s agricultural history when former President Ram Nath Kovind declared the Queen Pineapple as the official state fruit on June 7, 2018. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped secure a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the fruit, giving it national recognition and opening the door for international branding.
Despite this recognition, Bhattacharjee noted that pineapple farmers in Tripura continue to face serious challenges due to inadequate storage infrastructure and limited processing facilities. Without proper cold storage, farmers often struggle to preserve the fruit’s freshness for long-distance transport and export markets, leading to post-harvest losses and lower profits.
Appealing through Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, who was presiding over the session, Bhattacharjee urged the government to take concrete steps to build a Pineapple Park in Tripura. Such a facility, he said, could support canning units, processing centers, and production of value-added products such as juice, pulp, and packaged pineapple slices.
Agricultural experts believe that value-addition infrastructure could significantly enhance farmers’ income by expanding the fruit’s commercial potential beyond raw sales. Export-oriented processing units could also help Tripura tap into international markets where demand for premium tropical fruits continues to rise.
“Queen Pineapple is not just a fruit; it is Tripura’s identity. Supporting our farmers with modern infrastructure will secure their future and strengthen our state’s economy,” Bhattacharjee said in his address.
Farmer groups and agricultural stakeholders in Tripura have welcomed the MP’s intervention, viewing it as a timely push for policy attention. Many farmers believe that improved infrastructure could transform the state’s pineapple cultivation into a major export industry.
Tripura’s Queen Pineapple has long been praised for its sweetness, aroma, and unique taste. With proper investment in processing facilities, storage systems, and export logistics, experts say the fruit could become a flagship agricultural product for India in global markets.
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Bhattacharjee concluded his remarks with optimism, saying that if the government responds positively to the proposal, Tripura’s pineapple sector could evolve into a powerful engine of rural prosperity and economic growth for the state’s tribal communities.
