In 2021, the Indonesian government conducted a study in Labuhan Batu district, North Sumatra, to find out what local consumers prefer in pineapples. The research showed that people there like pineapples that are yellowish-green, taste sweet, are big in size, have a strong flavor, and are soft and smooth. While we haven’t studied Indian consumer preferences for pineapples with crowns, the Meghalaya variety seems to meet all these criteria and stands out among pineapple varieties available worldwide.
Meghalaya is a special place in the lap of Mother Nature. Besides its breathtaking beauty and lush hills, this northeastern state has the perfect weather for growing a special plant. Pineapple plants thrive in places like Ri Bhoi, East Khasi, and Garo Hills in Meghalaya, as long as the temperatures stay moderate, between 22-32 degrees Celsius. The soil here which is sandy and slightly acidic (with a pH of 5.0-6.0) is just what pineapples love. This unique combination of climate and soil makes Meghalaya pineapples tastier and more nutritious than others, making them a favorite both locally and internationally. People all around the world have fallen in love with them.
Meghalaya pineapples are like nutritional superstars. They are packed with vitamins A and C, potassium, and important dietary fiber. This makes them a great choice for people who want both delicious taste and good nutrition in their food. These pineapples contain vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. They also have a helpful enzyme called bromelain for digestion. You can enjoy this fruit fresh, as juice, jam, squash, or syrup. In India, many people love canned pineapple slices and juice, which make up more than 70 per cent of the total production.
Meghalaya plays an important role in India’s pineapple farming, contributing more than 8 per cent of the country’s total pineapple production. In 2019-20, Meghalaya produced 1,38,701 metric tons of pineapples, and this number has been steadily rising in recent years. What makes Meghalayan pineapples special is their unique flavour, and they are known for having juicy and delicious flesh that makes them even more appealing to the senses.
In Meghalaya, there are two main types of pineapples: Giant Kew and Queen Pineapple. The Giant Kew variety is known for having a high BRIX value, which means it is very sweet. When it comes to pineapple production, Ri-Bhoi district is the leader in Meghalaya, making up 38 per cent of the State’s total pineapple output. The West Garo Hills district follows closely behind, contributing 62 per cent of the pineapples produced in the State.
Meghalaya pineapples are grown using old-fashioned, natural farming methods without artificial fertilisers or insecticides. This means they have much fewer chemicals and pesticides in them. These traditional farming methods also help protect the pineapples from pests and diseases. However, because Meghalaya’s terrain is quite remote, it costs more to transport the pineapples to trade hubs like Delhi and Mumbai, especially since pineapples are perishable. The pineapple processing industry is still quite new because it is expensive to can pineapples, and there are high costs for fruit, sugar, containers, and other expenses. Selling fresh pineapples is also a big challenge.
The Meghalaya government isn’t just focusing on pineapples; it’s also working on various initiatives to improve farming and double farmers’ income. They’ve launched different programs for products like Lakadong Turmeric, Honey, Aroma, Ginger, Spice, Pepper, Khasi Mandarin, Piggery, and more. Additionally, they’ve set up around 200 one-stop shops called CMCs to assist farmers and are building farm gate infrastructure in villages to gather, process, and sell produce. They’ve also supported over 110 farmer groups with a 50 per cent subsidy through the PRIME Agri Response Vehicle and established 20 Farmer Markets to better connect farmers with markets and offer comprehensive help.
Even though it hasn’t been easy, the Government of Meghalaya has made significant progress in recent years. They have tackled problems like losses after harvesting by putting in cold storage facilities in pineapple areas. They have also created new ways for farmers to sell their pineapples in different places outside the State. Meghalaya’s government is thinking about working with export-focused businesses to set up frozen fruit processing units in the active pineapple areas. This could help overcome the challenges that have been holding back investment in the State.
(The writer can be reached at dipaknewslive@gmail.com)
