Tripura Hosts Its First-Ever Pineapple Festival in Kumarghat

Tripura’s Department of Land and Horticulture Conservation organized the state’s first-ever Pineapple Festival on Saturday at Geetanjali Auditorium, Kumarghat. The event was inaugurated by the state’s Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath, alongside Minister Sudhanshu Das, MLA Bhagaban Chandra Das, and senior departmental officials.

A total of 26 stalls were set up by pineapple farmers from across the state. Among them, 123 pineapple growers participated, representing districts like Dhalai, North Tripura, and Unakoti. Eight farmers from these districts were honored with awards for their contribution to pineapple cultivation.

Adding a social touch, the Young Darlong Association organized a blood donation camp during the festival, where 30 individuals donated blood.

The event commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Minister Ratan Lal Nath, MLA Bhagaban Chandra Das, and senior agriculture officials. After the inauguration, the dignitaries visited various stalls and interacted with farmers. In a vibrant display of cultural respect, ministers and MLAs joined members of the Darlong community in a traditional dance while holding pineapples.

During his address, Minister Nath highlighted the qualities and global potential of Tripura’s pineapples. He mentioned that a fruit processing center in Nalakata, 82 Mile area of Dhalai district, had been non-operational for years due to the influence of local leaders associated with the CITU organization during the previous Left government. He criticized their role in halting its operations.

The minister further stated that since the BJP government came to power in Tripura, the state’s pineapples have been successfully exported to international markets like Dubai. He emphasized the government’s focus on empowering farmers through various development programs under the vision of building a self-reliant India through the ‘Viksit Sankalp Yatra’.

By Choba Tripura