New Delhi: Tripura’s farm sector has marked a new step into overseas markets, with a farmer producer organisation from the state beginning exports of locally produced mustard honey to Dubai.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever export of 1 metric tonne of mustard honey by Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) from Tripura to Dubai, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 10 August.
The shipment marks Dergang FPO’s first step into the international market and, according to the ministry, opens new avenues for diversification in Tripura’s honey value chain.
The ministry said the export is expected to provide farmers associated with Dergang FPO with better price realisation compared with prevailing local market opportunities.
It is also expected to create additional income opportunities for local beekeepers while encouraging quality-focused and export-oriented honey production.
The initiative was supported by Salt Range Foods Pvt. Ltd., which worked with Dergang FPO to strengthen bee production and develop an export-oriented honey supply chain.
According to the ministry, the collaboration helped the FPO take its first step towards accessing international markets and provided a structured channel for local farmers to participate in the export value chain.
The government said the shipment is significant for Tripura’s emerging agri-export ecosystem, particularly for the state’s honey and beekeeping sector.
It added that Tripura has considerable potential in agricultural and horticultural production and that organised farmer collectives could play a larger role in connecting locally produced goods with wider markets.
The export also demonstrates the potential of FPO-led aggregation and collaboration with private industry to connect farmers with international buyers while supporting quality improvement and value addition.
Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who flagged off the consignment, described the export as an important achievement for the state’s beekeepers and farmers.
He said the development showed the potential of Tripura’s agricultural products to reach international markets and reiterated the state government’s support for apiculture, organic agriculture and Farmer Producer Organisations.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Tripura Agriculture and Horticulture Secretary Apurba Roy, IFOAM Organics Asia Executive Director Jennifer Chang, senior APEDA officials, representatives of the exporter, logistics partners and beekeepers from the region.
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