Cachar’s Lakhipur pineapple, especially the Kew variety, is gaining recognition for its natural sweetness, organic cultivation and export potential. To enhance farmers’ income and promote exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organised a buyer-seller meet and post-harvest management programme in collaboration with the Cachar district administration.

The initiative brought together farmers, exporters, food processors, agri-entrepreneurs and institutional buyers to strengthen market linkages and improve the pineapple value chain.

About APEDA

• APEDA is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• It was established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi.
• It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through a Chairman appointed by the Central Government.

Objectives of APEDA

• Promote the export of agricultural and processed food products from India.
• Develop export infrastructure, quality standards and certification systems.
• Support branding, packaging, value addition and market development for agricultural products.
• Assist farmers and exporters in accessing domestic and international markets.

Major Products Promoted by APEDA

• Fruits and vegetables
• Processed food products
• Cereals and millets
• Meat and poultry products
• Dairy products
• Honey, jaggery and confectionery
• Organic agricultural products

Why is the initiative important?

• Lakhipur’s Kew pineapple is among India’s finest pineapple varieties and has already been exported to Dubai, demonstrating its international market potential.
• The programme focuses on grading, scientific packaging, storage, post-harvest management and value addition, which can significantly reduce post-harvest losses.
• Direct interaction between buyers and farmers helps reduce dependence on intermediaries and ensures better price realisation.
• Improved value chains support the national goal of doubling farmers’ income and promoting agricultural exports under the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018.

Way Forward

• Expand cold chain and storage infrastructure to minimise post-harvest losses.
• Promote food processing and value-added pineapple products such as juice, canned pineapple and dried fruit.
• Strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for collective marketing and exports.
• Encourage branding and geographical identity of Lakhipur pineapple to improve global competitiveness.

Exam Hook: Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):

1. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. It was established under an Act of Parliament enacted in 1985.
3. It promotes the export of agricultural and processed food products from India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) 1 only

Answer: (C)

One-Line Wrap

APEDA is strengthening Cachar’s globally acclaimed Lakhipur pineapple through better post-harvest management, value addition and direct market linkages, creating new opportunities for farmers in domestic and international markets.