[Assam] Boko pineapples to hit Germany markets(The Assam Tribune, Thursday, August 07, 2008 )

[Buljit Buragohain]

Boko pineapples to hit Germany markets
Surajit Khaund
 GUWAHATI, Aug 6 – Pineapples cultivated in the bordering areas of Boko in Kamrup district will soon hit the German markets. The first consignment comprising 20 MT has been sent to Mumbai today from which it will be sent to Germany. For the first time, pineapples of Boko will be available in the European markets.

Sresta Natural Products Private Limited, a Hyderabad-based company has come forward to market the products of Boko in which over 500 farmers cultivate pineapple to earn their livelihood.

“We have sent the first consignment of organic pineapples from Assam. The farmers do not use any chemical and pesticide and hence we have purchased their products,” D Borgohain of Sresta Natural Products Private Limited told this correspondent today. He further said that the consignment had been sent to Mumbai and then it would be transshipped to Germany.

In Assam, the overall pineapple production is around 5 lakh tonne per annum, of which 70 per cent are consumed locally and the rest generally sent to the neighbouring States. Most of the pineapples are cultivated in Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong and Boko areas of the State. What is more significant is that pineapples produced in the State are generally organic as the farmers do not use fertilizers.

Providing more information on the new export deal, Borgohain informed that the demand for organic pineapples in Germany was very high. “They have placed an order of 300MT of which we will be able to meet 100 MT only. We have sent canned pineapple cubes in the first consignment. This is only the beginning, and we will be sending more in the next consignments,” he added.

Replying to a question about the problems encountered during procurement of pineapples from farmers, he said that they (farmers) required trainings on cultivation and harvesting. “We had to bring labourers from Bihar for cutting and peeling as it requires extra care for any export consignment. But, we have decided to provide trainings to the local farmers in this regard. Moreover, the infrastructure needs to be upgraded considering the potential of export,” he added.

(The Assam Tribune,Thursday, August 07, 2008 )



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