The Hindu : Front Page : Lack of infrastructure hampers export of fruits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 02, 2007
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Lack of infrastructure hampers export of fruits

S. Prasad

NEEDS INFRASTRUCTURE: Lack of facilities in Krishnagiri district has hit export of fresh fruits.

Krishnagiri: The vast potential for export of fresh fruits, especially mangoes from Krishnagiri, district comes as sweet news but lack of adequate infrastructure facilities is turning it sour.

The district has the highest mango production in the State with nearly 40,000 hectares coming under it. The average yield per hectare has been estimated to be around nine tonnes per hectare with Tothapuri accounting for 70 per cent of the yield. Of the remaining 30 per cent Neelam accounts for about 15 per cent while the rest are choice varieties like Alphonsa, Banganapalli and Malgova.

"Realising the tremendous export potential a number of multinational companies have entered into joint ventures with farmers in the district for export of fresh fruits. Although Krishnagiri is a major mango producer in the State, export of fresh fruits is very negligible. Post-harvest methods and packing house facilities, a vital link in the supply chain, are yet to be developed in the State.

"As a result, only a few traders with minimum facilities export mangoes to Gulf countries," says R. Durairaj of Mother India Farms.

Though the average fruit production has increased over the past few years only 40 per cent is fit for exports because of lack of post-harvest infrastructure. A few export-oriented units in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra alone possess irradiation and vapour free treatment and common effluent treatment plant. The major destination for export of fresh fruits is West Asia and the Far East. Processed products such as mango pulp, dried mango slice, juices are exported to Malaysia, Singapore, European Union, Africa and West Asia.

The Government should create a packing house facility with pre-cooling chambers and other infrastructure facilities on a larger scale to exploit the ample export potential in Krishnagiri, say fruit exporters. Department of horticulture should educate farmers on good agricultural practices and create a promotional campaign to increase productivity, say sources.

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