Meghalaya's Sweetest Pineapple Now Being Sold In This Country

 

Meghalaya's sweetest pineapples are the centerpiece of an elaborate display celebrating India's Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav at Al-Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi.

Meghalaya’s pineapples are now being exported to Abu Dhabi, thanks to the efforts of Jamge Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) and the State government.

Known for their sweet taste, low pesticide residue

The pineapples from Jamge IVCS are grown in the fertile slopes of Garo Hills and are known for their sweet taste and low pesticide residue.

The IVCS has over 250 farming households from across four villages, who produce almost 100 tonnes of pineapples each year.

Dr. Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said on Saturday, "The journey of these pineapples from the fertile slopes of the Garo Hills to the sandy shores of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been challenging and fruitful."

The pineapples are being exported by Lulu Group, a leading retail chain in the Middle East. The Lulu Group will be marketing the pineapples in its stores across the UAE.

Testament to the quality of Meghalaya’s pineapples

This is a major achievement for the Jamge IVCS and the Government of Meghalaya. It is a testament to the quality of Meghalaya’s pineapples and the potential of the state’s agriculture sector, said Dr Kumar.

Kumar said that IVCS presents an example of how collaborative efforts can result in doubling of farmers' income. Farmers earlier used to get only Rs 10 per pineapple irrespective of the weight of the fruit.

Sign of growing economic ties

The export of pineapples to Abu Dhabi is also a sign of the growing economic ties between Meghalaya and the Middle East, he said.

The state government is committed to promoting trade and investment between Meghalaya and the Middle East, and this export is a major step in that direction.

The government is also working to improve the infrastructure for the agriculture sector in Meghalaya. This includes building cold storage facilities, processing plants, and marketing channels. The government is also providing training to farmers on good agricultural practices.