Agartala, Aug 10 (IANS) Tripura has made significant progress in organic farming, with around 47,000 farmers now engaged in organic cultivation, while the state has exported 1,000 kg of organically produced honey to the UAE for the first time.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath flagged off the consignment while inaugurating an International Organic Buyer‑Seller Meet at a hotel in Agartala on Monday. A total of 20 international buyers from New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, South Korea, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Greece and the Philippines participated in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Nath said farmers are the “Annadata” (food providers) of the country and the state government has been giving priority to them through various programmes and initiatives.
He noted that Tripura had earlier exported organic honey to other states but never 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,” he said.
The Minister said the Buyer‑Seller Meet was organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Highlighting the growth of organic farming in Tripura, Nath said the area under organic cultivation had increased substantially since 2018.
“Before 2018, around 2,000 hectares of land in the state were used for organic cultivation. Now, 26,000 hectares are under organic cultivation, and 47,000 farmers are involved,” he said.
He added that international buyers from Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and other countries had expressed interest in Tripura’s organic and agricultural products. Nath said the state’s Queen Pineapple had gained recognition both nationally and internationally, while products such as Sabri Banana, scented lemon, jackfruit, turmeric and ginger were also well known for their quality.
The Minister said Tripura was producing genuine and certified organic products and that APEDA and the Central Government were extending support to promote organic farming and facilitate access to international markets.
“Forty‑eight per cent of the GSDP of our state comes from agriculture. Our main base is agriculture,” he said.
He added that the international meet would provide an important platform for direct interaction between producers, farmers, farmer‑producer organisations and buyers from India and abroad. “Our main aim is to double the farmers’ income,” Nath said.
The government has been seeking to expand the market for Tripura’s agricultural and horticultural products by promoting organic cultivation, improving certification and connecting local farmers and FPOs with national and international buyers.
The export of organic honey to the UAE marks another step towards expanding the overseas market for Tripura’s organic products and strengthening the income opportunities of farmers engaged in organic cultivation.
APEDA’s Senior Consultant Tarun Bajaj and Tripura’s Agriculture and Horticulture Department Secretary Apurba Roy were also present at the event.
–IANS
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