Dubai Imports 17-Tonne Pineapple From Tripura

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb flagged off the 17-tonneconsignment of exotic and juicy pineapple to Dubai on Monday.

The state exported 1.5 tonnes of the Queen variety of pineappleto Dubai last year as part of the initiative to popularize the tropical fruitglobally.

Flagging off the pineapple consignment, Tripura CM said, "Withthe increase in pineapple production from 1.26 lakh tones to 3lakh tones by2021, the fruit will be exported to more countries and all the states of India."

He said that the consignment would reach Dubai in 9-10 days.

The chief minister further stated that after Tripura gets linkedthrough the proposed waterway with Bangladesh, the time and cost of exportingpineapple, lemon and other items would be further reduced.

However, the production of the Queen variety of pineapples hasincreased to 25 percent in the state, said Deb.

Meanwhile, all the blocks have been asked to enlarge pineapplecultivation area adding that in near future, the state would start earning moreforeign exchange and extend more benefits to farmers.

Minister of Agriculture and Transport, Pranajit Singh Roy saidthat one pineapple is fetched at Rs. 5-10 but for export purpose, it was being procuredat Rs. 15 per piece.

Other than Dubai, countries like Israel, Bahrain and others haveexpressed their willingness to import pineapple from Tripura, as stated by anofficial of horticulture department.