Chizokho Vero
Molvom | July 4
A large scale production of pineapple in Molvom village under Horticulture Technology Mission (HTM) has heralded an economic boom for the villagers. Molvom, about 30 kms away from Dimapur, is reported to have been generating roughly Rs.50-60 lakhs annually, through mass involvement in pineapple plantation, Letthang Misao, president of Molvom Village Pineapple Growers Society told visiting journalists at the project site.
Presently, the produce are sold at Dimapur. Already three truckloads of pineapples had been sold to Dabur company last year. The villagers have been engaged in pineapple cultivation for more than three decades. They are now hoping for a sound economy on pineapple cultivation. Although pineapple cultivations came as a major relief for the villagers, their worries doesn’t end there. Despite the large production, this succulent fruit doesn’t appear to attract buyers as expected, and the growers continue to cast their anxiety on the prospect of market linkages. “We have no problem in production, but we are worried about marketing”, said Misao. He lamented that poor road conditions were not congenial for transportation of the produce.
Presently, the plantation covers 350 to 450 hectares involving 100 households, with each household possessing about 50,000 to 60,000 plants Misao said, Pineapple have become the main source of income for the villagers especially for paying their children schools and colleges fees and for other expenses. To find its way to the market across the country, pineapple samples from this village has already been sent to Hyderabad and the response is awaited, said Dr. Elithung Lotha, District Horticulture Officer, Dimapur.
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