Himachal News: Sindoori variety pomegranate grown in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh has now reached the international market. 1.3 metric tonnes of pomegranates from the state have been exported to Dubai city of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Giving information about this export, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government is working to provide farmers and gardeners access to domestic as well as foreign markets. The objective of this initiative is to help farmers get better prices for their produce and to give international recognition to Himachal's agriculture and horticulture products.
Pomegranate consignment reached Dubai with the help of APEDA
Chandigarh regional office of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) cooperated in the export of Sindoori pomegranates from Kullu. The pomegranates were collected through local farmers of Kullu and Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) based in Bhuntar.
About 600 farmers are associated with this FPO. The names of farmers supplying pomegranate include Reena Devi, Sanjay Kumar, Nitish Kumar and Veer Singh Guleria. Collaboration between farmers, farmer producer organizations and export related institutions helped in taking local produce to foreign markets.
Government's emphasis on providing better prices to farmers
According to Chief Minister Sukhu, the state government is focusing on providing new opportunities for the sale of their produce to strengthen the economic condition of farmers and gardeners. For this, assistance is being provided in accessing international markets along with domestic markets.
A large number of farmers and gardeners in Himachal Pradesh are dependent on fruit production. In such a situation, by getting access to foreign markets, new buyers can be found for their produce. However, how much additional benefit farmers will actually get will depend on the regularity of exports, market demand, prices and quality of production.
Earlier cherries and plums were sent to Oman
Earlier too, initiatives had been taken to supply the fruits of Himachal Pradesh to foreign markets. According to the Chief Minister, in June this year, 400 kg of cherries and 400 kg of plums produced by six farmers of Jadol-Tikkar and Baghi areas of Shimla district were exported to Oman.
Now export of Vermillion pomegranates from Kullu to Dubai is being seen as another opportunity for the fruit growers of the state. This can increase the possibilities of supplying fruits grown in different areas of Himachal to international markets.
Emphasis on quality in line with international market
The Chief Minister appealed to the farmers and gardeners to produce high quality fruits as per the demand of the international market. Aspects like quality, packing, safe transportation and timely delivery are important for selling products in foreign markets.
The reach of Sindoori pomegranates of Kullu to Dubai is an example of the fact that locally produced fruits can reach big markets with the cooperation of farmer producer organizations and export related institutions. Now the long-term success of this initiative will depend on whether farmers get regular export opportunities in future and how much better prices they get for their produce.