Cachar Pineapple Gains International Recognition at Buyer-Seller Meet

Cachar Pineapple's Global Journey

Silchar, July 3: The pineapple cultivated in Lakhipur, Cachar, has successfully reached Dubai, highlighting the international acclaim for local farmers and showcasing the export potential of one of Barak Valley's prized horticultural products.

To capitalize on this success, a buyer-seller meet was held on Thursday, bringing together farmers, exporters, processors, agri-entrepreneurs, and institutional buyers to broaden the fruit's market presence both domestically and globally.

This event, titled the Post-Harvest Management Programme and Buyer-Seller Meet for Cachar Pineapple, was organized by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in partnership with the Cachar district administration.

The focus of the initiative was to enhance post-harvest management, minimize losses, increase value addition, and establish direct market connections for pineapple producers.

During the inauguration, Assam's Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, Cooperation, and Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai emphasized the significance of this event for local farmers.

Rai remarked, "The Kew variety of pineapple from Lakhipur is among the best in India, showcasing the agricultural richness of our region."

He underscored the vital role of agriculture in the Barak Valley's economy, asserting that Cachar's naturally grown pineapples merit enhanced visibility in both national and international markets.

"This initiative will bolster post-harvest management, improve market connections, and create more opportunities for our pineapple farmers. We are dedicated to empowering our farmers and unlocking the full potential of Cachar's exceptional pineapple," he stated.

Rai pointed out that better post-harvest practices, scientific packaging, grading, and direct buyer interactions could enable farmers to achieve better pricing while decreasing reliance on middlemen.

The program allowed pineapple growers to engage directly with potential buyers, facilitating discussions on procurement, quality standards, pricing, logistics, and long-term sourcing agreements.

Farmers also presented fresh pineapples and other agricultural products, including high-quality spices, attracting interest from participants seeking business opportunities.

Officials and agricultural specialists present at the event noted that Cachar's favorable agro-climatic conditions, fertile soil, and established horticultural base create a solid foundation for expanding pineapple production and exports.

However, they emphasized the necessity for organized market support, modern post-harvest systems, and processing infrastructure to fully harness the sector's commercial potential.

They observed that direct engagement with buyers from outside Assam could open new marketing channels for farmer-producer organizations and progressive growers, facilitating the integration of local produce into larger supply chains.