Tripura’s Ethnic Rice Makes Global Debut with Export to Austria, Netherlands
Agartala, September 3, 2026 — In a landmark moment for Tripura’s agricultural sector, 18 metric tonnes of NPOP-certified ethnic rice were flagged off on Wednesday for export to Austria and the Netherlands, marking a major step in connecting the state’s farmers with international markets.
The shipment, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), includes four distinctive varieties: Aromatic Kali Khasa Rice, Aromatic Harinarayan Rice, Biron Rice (a white sticky rice), and Maimi Hanga Rice (Black Rice).
From Local Farms to Global Markets
The rice was sourced from Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) across Tripura, with support from the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency (TSOFDA). The export is being handled by M/s Pratithi Organic Foods, a Sonepat-based firm known for its work in organic agri-exports.
Officials say the deal could bring participating farmers up to 40% higher returns compared to domestic sale prices — a strong incentive for more producers to move toward certified, export-oriented farming.
The shipment builds on momentum from a Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) that APEDA organized in Tripura last month, which connected local producers with international buyers. Today’s export is being seen as the first tangible outcome of those discussions.
Austria and the Netherlands are considered demanding markets with strict standards on quality, food safety, certification, and traceability, making the successful export a signal of the credibility of Tripura’s organic supply chain.
Officials Hail the Milestone
The flag-off ceremony was led by Tripura’s Agriculture Minister, Shri Ratan Lal Nath, alongside APEDA Chairman Shri Abhishek Dev and the state’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Secretary, Shri Apurba Roy. Also present were APEDA Secretary Dr. Saswati Bose, NABARD General Manager Smt. Tanushri Bhattacharya, Director of Agriculture Shri Phanibhusan Jamatia, TSOFDA Mission Director Shri Rajib Debbarma, along with exporter representatives, logistics partners, and local rice farmers.
Minister Nath called the export a proud milestone for the state, crediting the efforts of farmers and FPCs, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening organic farming infrastructure and helping producers meet international benchmarks.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev pointed to the export as proof of the North Eastern Region’s growing role in India’s organic agricultural trade, noting that stronger certification and traceability systems are helping open up sustainable, organized export channels. He added that APEDA would continue partnering with the Tripura government to promote the state’s unique produce on the world stage.
Looking Ahead
The initiative reflects a coordinated push by APEDA, the state government, and value-chain stakeholders to scale up organic exports from Tripura, deepen farmer connections to global buyers, and build lasting, sustainable trade opportunities for the region’s agricultural community.
