Guwahati: Mizoram has for the first time sent pineapples that were cultivated there to Dubai, an official said.
The shipment of 230 kg of pineapples grown by farmers in Sialhawk village in Khawzawl district was flagged off for Dubai on Friday by Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia.
Speaking at the occassion, Tawnluia, who is also the local MLA, stated that plans are being made to export Sialhawk pineapples to Bahrain and Qatar’s capital Doha.
He declared that the state government would build connecting roads to all pineapple plantations in his district and that attempts would be made to find markets for the farmers if they produced more pineapples than expected.
F Lalnunmawia, a lawmaker for the Mizo National Front and deputy chairman of the state horticulture development council, praised the progress as a turning point in Mizoram’s history.
The pineapples were purchased by Fair Exports (I) Private Limited, a division of Lulu Group International, in Mumbai, and would be delivered to Dubai, according to Horticulture Department Secretary K Lalthawmmawia.
He announced that 900 kg more of pineapples from Sialhawk would soon be delivered to Dubai, along with 740 kg apiece to Qatar and Bahrain.
He claimed that in order for farmers to remain competitive in the world market, they must continuously work to preserve pineapples of high quality and added value.
The Sialhawk village started growing pineapples in 2002, and last year, over 320 families collected 6,400 quintals of pineapples valued Rs 95 lakh.