Tripura has made significant progress in organic cultivation, with around 47,000 farmers now engaged in organic farming. For the first time, the state has exported 1,000 kg of organically produced honey to the UAE.

This was informed by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath while inaugurating the International Organic Buyer-Seller Meet at Hotel Polo Towers in Agartala today.

A total of 20 international buyers from New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, South Korea, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Greece and the Philippines participated in the programme.

The Minister also flagged off a consignment of 1,000 kg of organic honey for export to the UAE.

Later, the Minister said that farmers are the “Annadata” of the country.

“We organise different programmes and meetings, whether at the rural level, state level or international level and we give priority to farmers. That is why, at this international organic fair, we welcomed a farmer on the stage. Earlier, we had exported organic honey to other states, but we had not exported it to a foreign country. This is the first time, through an FPO, that we have exported organic honey to the UAE with the help of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department along with the Horticulture Department,” said the Minister.

The Agriculture Minister said that the Buyers-Sellers Meet was organised by APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

“Our state, Tripura, has progressed a lot in the organic field. Before 2018, around 2,000 hectares of land in the state were used for organic cultivation. Now, 26,000 hectares of land are being used for organic cultivation, and 47,000 farmers are involved in organic farming. People from Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and other countries have come, with a total of 21 international buyers from nine countries. The demand for our Queen Pineapple has increased across the world, and our Queen Pineapple is famous both in the country and internationally. Not only this, but Sabri Banana, scented lemon, jackfruit, turmeric and ginger are also well known,” he said.

He also said that Tripura is producing both genuine and certified organic products, with APEDA and the Central Government extending support to the state.

“I am really happy that 1,000 kg of honey is going out of our country. Forty-eight per cent of the GSDP of our state comes from agriculture. Our main base is agriculture. Today, the opening programme was held, followed by technical sessions between buyers and sellers. Many buyers have come to purchase our products, and buyers from our country have also come. Our main aim is to double the farmers’ income,” he added.

During the event, Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Senior Consultant, APEDA; Apurba Roy, Secretary, Agriculture & Horticulture; Jennifer Chang, Executive Director, IFOAM Organics Asia; and Rajib Debbarma, Mission Director, TSOFDA, were present.