A consignment of Queen Pineapples from Lefunga block of Tripura has left for its abroad destination, Oman during a simple flagged off programme held at Agartala Railway station, which was flagged off by Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking in the programme, Minister Ratan Lal Nath  said that it is the result of the state government's initiative to protect the state's pineapple farmers from loss and to popularize the state's pineapple in both international and national markets.

After the year 2018, Tripura has exported its juicy Queen Pineapples Dubai, Bangladesh, Qatar along with many destinations inside India, which has given massive financial support to the state’s farmers.

He said that soon 5 metric tons of more Queen Pineapples will be exported to Dubai and the state government in association with the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) and SIMPET, are preparing to export more 30 tons of pineapples to Holland, said Nath.

At present the farmers of the state are getting Rs. 15 to 17 per piece of pineapple, but for export, they are getting Rs. 32 including all of their transportation cost for a single piece of pineapple, said Nath.

During the last five years, the state government has exported 33 metric tons of pineapples to its abroad destinations and 12,512 tons to different markets across India, said Nath and added that due to this success, the state government will take initiative to export more pineapples in coming days.

In this way, the pineapple farmers of the state will be further encouraged to cultivate pineapple.

Earlier, the state’s Horticulture department has exported consignment of Kew Pineapples and scented lemon in Dubai.

Earlier, the farmers of the state produced pineapples in 595 hectares of land and within the last six years, it has increased to 5,654 hectares, which has also increased the income of farmers of the state , said Nath.

This year, the production of pineapples has also increased compared to last year, now the state government is planning to increase production of pineapple.

The farmers of Tripura have also started exporting juicy jackfruits, tamarind, ginger and wood apples in different foreign destinations.