Shillong, Jul 11: Meghalaya is turning its ₹ 12 farm-gate pineapple into ₹1,500 per kg export products as the state pushes value-addition to boost farmer incomes and expand global market linkages.
This initiative was highlighted during the inauguration of the 4th Meghalaya Pineapple Festival at Dilli Haat on July 10, by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Union DONER Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
Currently, Meghalaya cultivates pineapples across 12,600 hectares, yielding over 1.4 lakh metric tonnes annually. The organically grown Kew variety, renowned for its sweetness of approximately 18° Brix, stands out as the state’s flagship horticultural product.
Officials said processing has remarkably increased returns for farmers; for example, freeze-dried pineapple is now sold at nearly ₹1,500 per kg in Europe, while Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) pineapple fetches up to ₹640 per kg.
The state’s efforts are further supported by around 500 farmer cooperatives, which encompass nearly 100,000 growers. Success stories, such as the Jirang Organic Agro Farmer Producer Company, illustrate how these initiatives empower farmers, officials said. This cooperative, consisting of 433 farmers, supplies its produce to prominent retailers like Lulu Group and Reliance Retail. In fact, Meghalaya pineapples have already made their debut in international markets such as Dubai and Kuwait.
The ongoing push to enhance value addition not only strengthens the local economy but also aims to reduce farmers’ dependency on distress sales of raw produce.
The state has set a target to bring 1 lakh hectares under organic cultivation by 2028.
