Assam's Natural Advantage:
Diverse topography and climate create ideal conditions for growing various fruits, vegetables, and spices in Assam.
Pineapples are a popular crop in Assam, with Kew and Queen varieties being most common.
Health Benefits:
Pineapples are gaining recognition for their health benefits due to essential vitamins and minerals.
Grown under Assam's sunshine and rain, pineapples reach their peak flavor potential.
Growing Conditions and Harvest:
Pineapples are a tropical plant that thrives in both plains and slightly elevated areas.
Flowering occurs between February and April, with fruits ready for harvest from July to September.
The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries
Export Potential and Challenges:
Processed pineapple products (juice, slices) offer a longer shelf life for export compared to fresh fruit.
Recent promotional events in Dubai highlight export potential.
Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Maldives are potential export markets.
Pineapple Wine Innovation:
Meghalaya's initiative to promote fruit wine, including pineapple wine, offers possibilities for value addition.
Processing options like using culled pineapple, peels, and cores can further utilize the fruit.
Overall, Assam pineapples are a delicious and healthy fruit crop with the potential to contribute to the regional economy through increased exports and innovative processing efforts.
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