Mizoram Pineapple Farmers in Crisis: 4,000 Quintals Left to Rot, Rs 40 Lakh Lost

As the backbone of the local economy, their resilience depends on immediate and long-term solutions to prevent such losses in the future.

Farmers in Sialhawk village, nestled in Mizoram’s Khawzawl district, have faced a devastating financial blow in 2024 as approximately 4,000 quintals of pineapples, valued at Rs. 40 lakh, remained unsold and rotted away. Known for its extensive pineapple cultivation, the village produced around 13,000 quintals during the peak harvest season of July and August. However, despite selling 9,000 quintals, the lack of buyers for the remaining produce led to significant losses.

Sialhawk, responsible for nearly 60% of Mizoram’s pineapple output, has been a hub of pineapple farming since 2005, supporting 250 families who depend heavily on the crop for their livelihoods. The setback has highlighted the urgent need for government assistance to ensure sustainable farming practices and better access to markets.

Kawllianpuia, secretary of the Sialhawk Lakhuihthei (Pineapple) Society, disclosed that the farmers managed to earn Rs. 90 lakh from selling pineapples at Rs. 10 per kilogram. However, a substantial portion of the harvest was wasted due to limited market access and the absence of government-backed marketing support.

In past years, the farmers benefitted from government initiatives that helped connect them to buyers, preventing wastage. However, the lack of such assistance in 2024 forced farmers to find buyers independently, which proved to be an uphill battle. Some society members expressed frustration, criticising the state government for neglecting their plight.

The crisis underscores the critical need for robust government intervention to establish reliable market linkages and infrastructure to safeguard the livelihoods of Sialhawk’s pineapple farmers. As the backbone of the local economy, their resilience depends on immediate and long-term solutions to prevent such losses in the future.

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