Tripura Organic Farmers Meet Global Buyers to Expand Markets

Organic farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations in Tripura are getting a direct route to international markets after the state hosted an international buyer-seller meeting in Agartala.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, along with the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency and the state Agriculture Department, organised the meeting on August 14. More than 200 participants attended, including international buyers, exporters, farmers and officials.

Farmers meet buyers from 7 countries

The meeting brought together 96 farmers representing 22 FPOs and FPCs. More than 20 international buyers from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Greece and Argentina took part in discussions with farmers and exporters.

The event was designed to create direct market connections for Tripura’s organic producers. Instead of depending only on local traders, farmer groups could discuss product requirements, quality standards and potential export arrangements directly with buyers.

For small farmers, this type of market connection can be important because producing certified organic crops is only one part of the process. Farmers also need reliable buyers who are willing to pay for certified produce.

Certification is key for organic exports

Organic produce intended for certified markets must meet specified production and certification standards. India’s National Programme for Organic Production provides the framework used for organic certification, particularly for export markets.

The government has been supporting organic farming through schemes such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region.

Under PKVY, farmers receive assistance of ₹31,500 per hectare over three years. Under MOVCDNER, assistance of ₹46,500 per hectare is provided over three years for activities including farmer organisations and organic inputs.

The schemes follow an end-to-end approach covering production, processing, certification and marketing. This is important because farmers need support beyond the farm gate.

Tripura looks to build its organic market

The buyer-seller meeting is part of a wider effort to connect organic farmers in the Northeast with larger markets.

The region has a range of crops and agricultural products that can be sold as certified organic produce. But market access remains a challenge when farmers operate in small groups and lack processing, packaging and marketing facilities.

Farmer organisations can help solve some of these problems by aggregating produce from several growers. They can also work with exporters to meet volume and quality requirements.

The central government says 2.36 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming through MOVCDNER since its launch, benefiting about 2.74 lakh farmers as of June 30, 2026.

Market access can decide farm returns

Organic certification can involve additional costs and record-keeping. Farmers therefore need markets that recognise the value of certified produce.

The Tripura meeting focused on this missing link by bringing farmers, FPOs, exporters and buyers into the same forum. The participation of buyers from multiple countries also gave producer groups a chance to understand international demand.

The next step will be converting these meetings into actual purchase agreements. Farmers will need consistent production, certification, quality control, storage and transport to fulfil export orders.

For Tripura’s organic farmers, access to international buyers could open another route to market. The bigger test will be whether farmer groups can maintain the required quality and supply while securing prices that make organic cultivation worthwhile.