Cachar Pineapple gets national market push through APEDA buyer seller meet

way2barak, July 2 :— Cachar’s famous pineapple gets national market push through a buyer seller meet on Thursday as farmers, exporters, agri-entrepreneurs and institutional buyers from different parts of the country came together for the Post Harvest Management Programme and Buyer Seller Meet on Cachar Pineapple, Assam, organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India in collaboration with the District Administration, Cachar, Government of Assam.

The programme was inaugurated by Minister for Food, Public Distribution & Consumer Affairs, Housing & Urban Affairs, and Cooperation, Kaushik Rai, who said that agriculture continues to be one of the strongest pillars of the Barak Valley’s economy. He stated that Cachar’s naturally grown pineapple has earned recognition for its quality and flavour and deserves wider access to domestic and international markets. He said that strengthening post-harvest management, improving value addition and creating direct market linkages would help farmers secure better returns while reducing post-harvest losses.

The event was also attended by the Cachar DC Rahul Kumar Gupta, IAS, District Commissioner, Roktim Boruah, ACS , Additional District Commissioner (Agriculture) Dhrubajyoti Pathak, CDC, Lakhipur; Pijush Raj, Assistant Commissioner, Cachar, Dr. Rahul Chakraborty, District Agricultural Officer; Evan T. Munsong, Deputy General Manager, NABARD, Sanjay Thakur, Social Worker, Saju Adhikari, Business Development Manager, APEDA, Guwahati, Manthan Hmar,Assam Gourab, Minal Kanti Das, Lakhipur Municipal Board, along with representatives of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), exporters, processors, progressive farmers and buyers from different states.

The dignitaries described Cachar as an agriculturally rich district blessed with fertile soil and favourable climatic conditions. They said the district’s pineapple has built a strong identity because of its natural cultivation practices and quality. They expressed confidence that better post-harvest management, scientific handling, organised marketing and value-added processing would expand business opportunities for farmers and strengthen the rural economy.
The programme brought producers and buyers onto a common platform, allowing direct interaction between pineapple growers and prospective purchasers from outside Assam. Farmers displayed fresh pineapples and other agricultural produce, including premium quality spices, while buyers examined the products, discussed procurement requirements and explored long term sourcing arrangements. Participants stated that direct engagement between producers and institutional buyers could reduce dependence on intermediaries and open new marketing channels for local produce.
The technical session conducted by Dr. Saju Adhikary, Business Development Manager, APEDA Regional Office, North Eastern Region, focused on scientific post-harvest practices, grading, packaging, storage and market readiness. Dr. Sunil Pareek, Professor (Horticulture PHT) and Dean (Post Graduate Studies), NIFTEM, Kundli, Sonipat, Haryana, delivered an expert lecture on “Post Harvest Management and Value Addition of Pineapple.” He explained practical methods to minimise post-harvest losses, improve shelf life, develop value-added products and meet quality standards required for national and export markets.

This is stated in a press release issued by Regional office of Information & Public Relations Barak valley Zone Silchar Assam.