Pineapple farmers in Cachar, Assam, are calling for urgent help from the government to improve infrastructure, cold storage, and market access. Despite growing some of the finest pineapples in the region, these farmers face losses due to transport delays, lack of support, and market bottlenecks.
Their message is clear: with better facilities, Cachar pineapple farming could transform rural livelihoods.
A Golden Crop With Untapped Potential
Why Cachar Is Ideal for Pineapple Cultivation
The district of Cachar in Assam has ideal conditions for pineapple farming. Farmers here grow over 35,000 tonnes of pineapple each year, primarily using organic and low-input methods. However, pineapple farmers in Cachar often struggle to sell their produce beyond local markets.
Farmers say that their crops rot within days if not sold quickly. Without cold storage or processing units, even a bumper harvest can turn into a financial loss.
Why a “Cachar Pineapple” Tag Matters
India has seen success with region-specific branding like “Nagaland Organic Pineapple” and “Tripura Queen Pineapple”. These brands boost visibility and retail prices.
Yet pineapple farmers in Cachar still lack a collective brand identity, and there’s no GI (Geographical Indication) tagging effort underway.
Transport and Storage Woes for Pineapple Farmers in Cachar
Poor Infrastructure Is Crippling Rural Producers
One of the main challenges Cachar pineapple growers face is inadequate transport and storage. Pineapples are highly perishable and need to be sold or preserved soon after harvest.
Currently, there is no government-supported cold storage facility in the area. Farmers like Dinesh Sharma from Katigorah village say they are forced to sell their produce at just ₹6–₹10 per piece to avoid wastage.
“With proper cold storage and rural roads, we could triple our income,” he says.
Market Access & Export Potential Remain Underutilized
Farmers in Cachar Need Direct Market & Export Channels
Pineapple farmers in Cachar also suffer from a lack of direct access to urban or export markets. Without support from the state government, they rely on middlemen, losing a big share of profits.
Unlike neighboring Meghalaya—which exports pineapples to Dubai and Qatar under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development scheme—Cachar has yet to see any serious export initiative.
If pineapple farmers in Cachar are provided similar training and funding support, they can also enter the international market. The district’s proximity to the Silchar Airport and Inland Waterways makes it logistically viable for export.
Farmers are urging the government to establish a Pineapple Marketing Cell, provide training on branding and packaging, and connect them with e-commerce platforms.
What Cachar Pineapple Farmers Are Demanding
The Barak Valley Farmers Association has submitted a formal request to the Assam Horticulture Department with the following demands:
- Cold Storage Facilities in every major pineapple zone
- Dedicated Transport Assistance during harvest months
- Branding and GI Tagging for Cachar Pineapples
- Market Linkages to Online Platforms like ONDC and eNAM
- Training in Post-Harvest Handling and organic compliance
These actions could help local farmers become part of India’s growing fruit export economy, similar to success stories from Kerala and Nagaland.
- Assam Horticulture Department – Official schemes for fruit farmers.
Time to Back Pineapple Farmers in Cachar
Pineapple farmers in Cachar are at a tipping point. With rising demand for healthy, organic fruit, this region has everything it needs to flourish—except the institutional support to scale.
A relatively small investment in cold storage, transport, and branding could triple farmer incomes, reduce waste, and put Cachar on India’s agri-export map.
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