Market-leading e-commerce and processed food manufacturing companies, including Big Basket and Mother Dairy, have started procuring organic agricultural produce from Tripura, marking a significant milestone for the state’s farmers. Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath made this announcement on Saturday, highlighting the increasing demand for the region’s organic products.
Speaking at the inaugural function of a newly licensed Farmers Producer Company (FPC) at Lefunga, Nath also revealed that the National Cooperative Organics Limited has joined the list of buyers, offering highly lucrative prices for Tripura’s organic goods.
Expansion of Farmers Producer Companies in Tripura
Nath emphasized that the concept of Farmers Producer Companies is relatively new to Tripura but has gained momentum under the current government.
“Since the BJP government came to power, 40 such FPCs have been established across different parts of the state. These entities have exclusive rights for trading, storing, and exporting goods directly from farmers,” he said.
Rising Global Demand for Organic Produce
Highlighting the growing global demand for organic products, Nath recalled his visit to Germany, where he attended an organic fair.
“The fair covered an area larger than the entire city of Agartala. Organic products have an enormous demand in international markets, and if we can increase production, buyers will come searching for us,” he stated.
Lefunga FPC: A Step Forward for Farmers
The newly formed FPC at Lefunga has already enrolled 500 farmers, cultivating crops over 120 hectares (720 Kanis) of land in the West Tripura district. Nath noted that approximately 200 farmers are exclusively growing pineapples, one of the most lucrative crops in the state.
“In the last three years, Tripura has exported 326 metric tons of pineapple outside the state. The government has organized buyer-seller meets in Delhi, Indore, and Varanasi, with another scheduled in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Apart from pineapple, Kali Khasa rice has also generated significant demand in national and international markets,” he added.
Expanding Trade Beyond Pineapples
Tripura’s organic exports are not limited to pineapples. Nath reported that the state has supplied 93 metric tons of ginger, 22 metric tons of turmeric, and 2.6 metric tons of bird’s-eye chili to various national and international buyers.
“Market leaders like Mother Dairy and e-commerce giant Big Basket are now among our regular clients,” he said, underscoring the commercial success of Tripura’s organic farming sector.
Government Support for Farmers
To support organic farming, farmers associated with the FPC will receive Rs 17,500 per hectare for cultivation. Additionally, Rs 7,500 per hectare will be allocated for organic fertilizers. A parcel vehicle has already been procured to facilitate transportation, and Rs 18.75 lakh will be invested in setting up a processing unit at Lefunga.
The increasing commercial interest in Tripura’s organic produce, coupled with government initiatives, is expected to further strengthen the agricultural economy and improve farmers’ incomes in the state.
