Tripura flags off its first 18.7 MT organic aromatic rice consignment to Europe, highlighting the state’s growing organic farming sector, farmer producer companies, certification support and expanding international market links for products including rice, ginger, chilli and Queen Pineapple.
Tripura has taken a significant step towards expanding its organic agricultural exports with the flagging off of an 18.7 metric tonne consignment of organic aromatic rice bound for the European market. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath described the shipment as the first such consignment from the state to the European market.
The consignment was sent through Pratithi Organic Foods Pvt Ltd and comprises four varieties of organic rice. These include 1.2 MT of Kalikhasa rice, 1.5 MT of sticky rice, 6 MT of black rice and 10 MT of Harinarayan rice.
Minister Ratan Lal Nath flagged off the consignment during a sensitisation programme on the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), organised at Pragna Bhaban in Agartala on Wednesday.
Addressing the programme, Nath said the state government had placed considerable emphasis on organic farming as an important means of promoting rural prosperity and improving income opportunities for farmers. He said Tripura possesses considerable potential in organic agriculture due to the traditional farming practices followed by farmers across the state.
According to the minister, farmers in Tripura have traditionally relied on practices such as crop rotation, mixed farming and the use of organic compost. Several farmer groups have gradually integrated these traditional methods with formal certification standards, helping them access wider markets.
Nath highlighted the growing demand for Tripura’s organic agricultural products in both domestic and international markets. In recent years, the state has supplied organic products such as aromatic rice varieties, ginger, scented lemon, bird’s eye chilli and Queen Pineapple to different destinations.
Tripura’s organic products have reached markets in Delhi, Maharashtra, Bengaluru, Gujarat, West Bengal and Guwahati. Internationally, products from the state have also been exported to countries and markets including Germany, Dubai, Oman and Bangladesh.
The minister said farmers are adopting organic practices for a diverse range of crops, including aromatic and sticky rice, ginger, turmeric, bird’s eye chilli, mustard, sesame, foxtail millet and pineapple varieties such as Queen and Kew.
The state government has also expanded the area under organic cultivation during the tenure of the present government. Nath said 26,600 hectares have been brought under organic cultivation, with 14,411 hectares registered under the relevant process. Another 2,002 hectares are under conversion, while 10,189 hectares are under consideration.
He also said 53 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) have been formed to strengthen collective farming, processing and market access for agricultural producers.
The government is providing training and certification assistance to farmers through various schemes, including the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). The initiative aims to strengthen organic value chains, improve certification, support farmers and create stronger links between producers and domestic as well as international markets.
The latest rice consignment is expected to provide further momentum to Tripura’s efforts to establish itself as a supplier of premium organic agricultural products. The European market exposure could also create new opportunities for farmers and producer organisations involved in cultivating traditional and aromatic rice varieties.
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The programme was attended by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman Abhishek Dev, Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy, APEDA Secretary Dr Saswati Bose, Director of Agriculture Dr Phani Bhusan Jamatia, TSOFDA Mission Director Rajib Debbarma and NABARD General Manager Tanushri Bhattacharya, among others.
