Pineapples aplenty at Tora but no takers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 03: Like the lofty flowers blossoming oblivious to the world, the pineapples growing in Tora Lower village under Chingai Constituency of Ukhrul district inspite of their superior quality and juiciness remain unknown to the taste of the fruit loving people of the State.

Inspite of the abundant pineapple products available in this remote hill village, only a few pineapple loads of bullock carts could reach the market due to underdevelopment in road and transport communication.

Fruits of labour but with no one to appreciate it

Pineapple is one of the main fruit crop growing in the village located 75 kms away from Ukhrul district headquarters along the Old Imphal-Ukhrul road.

But the hard labour of the villagers has not been compensated due to deplorable condition of the road and transport facilities available in the area.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) agency has been encouraging the local horticulturists to cultivate pineapples along with adopting new methods to increase production but unfortunately the State Government has not taken up any measures for better road connectivity.

Talking with The Sangai Express, 87-year old KR Malungring, who has been recognised as one of the lead farmers in cultivation of pineapples by IFAD, disclosed that the pineapple products of the village are being taken to Ukhrul market for selling by bullock carts only.

Although the condition of the road is little better off during off rainy season, transportation of the pineapple products is impossible during rainy season leading to wastage of the hard labour of the fruit cultivators, Malungring said.

While informing that he could earn only Rs 2000 in a year from selling his pineapple products, Malungring expressed confidence that the sale proceed could increase if the condition of the road is better.

Malungring said that he sold his pineapples at the rate of Rs 10 per fruit.

Non-availability of electric supply is another problem that the pineapple cultivators in this remote village are facing as any scope for setting up food processing units where juice can be extracted and bottled for selling has been ruled out completely.

Malungring said that with the help of an juice extractor indigenously made by himself, he has been extracting pineapple juice and sell them at the rate of Rs 20 per bottle in the village and same is being like by the people.

Besides, pineapples, goose berry, passion fruit, ginger, banana and Yongchak are among other food crops found abundantly in the village.