Dimapur, August 26 (MExN): A five days exhibition-cum-sale of Nagaland pineapples was organized by Central Institute of Horticulture and National Horticulture Board in collaboration with Department of Horticulture, Government of Nagaland and ICCOA, Delhi from July 27 to 31, 2011 at Delhi Haat, New Delhi.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Pawan Singh Ghatowar, Minister, DONER, on July 27. In his address, he mentioned that the produce of Northeast has unique quality features and the need is to market it at all levels so that the farming community is motivated for mass production. He appreciated the efforts made by CIH, NHB and ICCOA by providing the farmers a platform to showcase and market their produce. He assured the organizers of his help and full cooperation in such noble ventures in the future for the farmers of the region. Dr. Akali Sema, Director, CIH, Nagaland welcomed the chief guest and all the dignitaries in the inaugural programme. She mentioned that the objective of such a venture is to create an identity of the horticultural produce from North East at national level and also to empower the farming community with the knowledge and marketing skills.
Lethang Misao, Chairman, Organic Pineapple Growers’ Society, Molvom village, Nagaland in his brief remark, thanked the organizers for such marketing initiatives where in the farmers learn a lot on how to market their produce and also get an understanding of the skill set required for business. Several CIH publications like catalogue on focus horticultural crops of North East, folders on horticultural crops both in English and regional languages were released by the Minister, DoNER and other high ranking officials during the function. The institute is further in the process of exhibiting and promoting other niche crops of the region in collaboration with NHB and the state government.
Also, the Institute in its effort to provide suitable market linkages to the farmers organized a one day “buyers & sellers” meet on July 30 at Meeting Hall, Delhi Haat, coordinated by ICCOA, Delhi office. Several private companies including retailers, distributors, wholesalers and exporters participated in the meet and showed their interest in procuring horticultural produce from the Northeast. The farmers interacted with the companies and learned the specifications required in terms of quality and quantity to market it at both national and international levels. A total of 10 pineapple growers from four villages – Molvom, Pherima, Zuikhu and Lhothavi participated in the exhibition-cum-sale programme, while 20 farmers, who were on exposure trip to Delhi & Haryana under the program of CIH also participated in the program. The pineapples were sold like a hot cake at a very good price and the response of the consumers was overwhelming.
In fact, the entire consignment of fruits transported by train was sold out and the farmers could barely meet the consumers demand towards the end of the exhibition. Despite the damage during transit, the farmers were able to get good return from their produce. The five days exhibition cum sale at Delhi Haat was a great success and the customers appreciated the taste and flavor of Nagaland pineapples. They also requested to make the produce available in Delhi market so that they can get it on a regular basis.
This venture has created a name for Nagaland pineapples at national level and there is a huge demand of Nagaland pineapples in different places with lots of interested buyers from across the country as well as outside. However, there are lots of logistic problems, which need further interventions. The organizers are continuing in its endeavor to create a brand name of Nagaland pineapples as well as address some logistic issues to make this type of marketing initiatives viable for market networking.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Pawan Singh Ghatowar, Minister, DONER, on July 27. In his address, he mentioned that the produce of Northeast has unique quality features and the need is to market it at all levels so that the farming community is motivated for mass production. He appreciated the efforts made by CIH, NHB and ICCOA by providing the farmers a platform to showcase and market their produce. He assured the organizers of his help and full cooperation in such noble ventures in the future for the farmers of the region. Dr. Akali Sema, Director, CIH, Nagaland welcomed the chief guest and all the dignitaries in the inaugural programme. She mentioned that the objective of such a venture is to create an identity of the horticultural produce from North East at national level and also to empower the farming community with the knowledge and marketing skills.
Lethang Misao, Chairman, Organic Pineapple Growers’ Society, Molvom village, Nagaland in his brief remark, thanked the organizers for such marketing initiatives where in the farmers learn a lot on how to market their produce and also get an understanding of the skill set required for business. Several CIH publications like catalogue on focus horticultural crops of North East, folders on horticultural crops both in English and regional languages were released by the Minister, DoNER and other high ranking officials during the function. The institute is further in the process of exhibiting and promoting other niche crops of the region in collaboration with NHB and the state government.
Also, the Institute in its effort to provide suitable market linkages to the farmers organized a one day “buyers & sellers” meet on July 30 at Meeting Hall, Delhi Haat, coordinated by ICCOA, Delhi office. Several private companies including retailers, distributors, wholesalers and exporters participated in the meet and showed their interest in procuring horticultural produce from the Northeast. The farmers interacted with the companies and learned the specifications required in terms of quality and quantity to market it at both national and international levels. A total of 10 pineapple growers from four villages – Molvom, Pherima, Zuikhu and Lhothavi participated in the exhibition-cum-sale programme, while 20 farmers, who were on exposure trip to Delhi & Haryana under the program of CIH also participated in the program. The pineapples were sold like a hot cake at a very good price and the response of the consumers was overwhelming.
In fact, the entire consignment of fruits transported by train was sold out and the farmers could barely meet the consumers demand towards the end of the exhibition. Despite the damage during transit, the farmers were able to get good return from their produce. The five days exhibition cum sale at Delhi Haat was a great success and the customers appreciated the taste and flavor of Nagaland pineapples. They also requested to make the produce available in Delhi market so that they can get it on a regular basis.
This venture has created a name for Nagaland pineapples at national level and there is a huge demand of Nagaland pineapples in different places with lots of interested buyers from across the country as well as outside. However, there are lots of logistic problems, which need further interventions. The organizers are continuing in its endeavor to create a brand name of Nagaland pineapples as well as address some logistic issues to make this type of marketing initiatives viable for market networking.
