Tel. & Fax: 0485-2260832, Mob: 9446010905 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Web: http://prsvkm.kau.in

KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PINEAPPLE RESEARCH STATION Vazhakulam, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam District, Kerala, India, PIN-686 670 No. PRS/E1/17

Dated : 25.11.2017

GUIDELINES & ACTION PLAN FOR COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PINEAPPLE SECTOR 1. Planning and development of any sector requires clear and authentic statistics. According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Dept. of Agriculture and Cooperation, the area, production and productivity of pineapple cultivation in Kerala during 2014-15 was 8080 hectare, 77731 tonnes, 9.620 tonnes/hectare respectively. It is unmatched with the real situation. Different organizations of pineapple sector presented a statistics of about 14000 hectares, 3.5 lakh tonnes and 25 tonnes/hectare respectively. District-wise authentic statistics of pineapple area, production and productivity in the state is an urgent need for proper planning and development. 2. Geographic Indication registered Vazhakulam pineapple (Mauritius) is the most adapted and the best pineapple variety suitable for cultivation in Kerala. More than 90% of cultivation in Kerala is Vazhakulam pineapple. It is the top most pineapple variety for fresh fruit consumption in India. A boost in the processing and export of pineapple is needed for further development of the sector. The fruit characteristics of the most popular international pineapple variety MD-2 (cylindrical shape, flat eyes, thin core, up to 30 days shelf life) are best suitable for processing and export. Hence planting materials of MD-2 pineapple should be made available for cultivation and 20- 25% area under pineapple should be brought under MD-2 for boosting processing and export. MD-2 cultivation should be taken up with buy-back contract. 3. Land disputes and associated legal issues related to Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML), Travancore Rubber and Tea Limited (TRT), Farming Corporation (FC), Plantation Corporation of Kerala Limited (PCK) and Rehabilitation Plantation Limited (RPL) have caused a shortage of pineapple area in Kerala. Such problems and issues should be solved immediately in consultation with government so that the land can be available for pineapple cultivation. 4. Pineapple cultivation in the state has become an Agribusiness, mostly on lease lands. Hence, government should support and enact suitable laws for lease land farming. A policy document should be prepared for lease land cultivation so that government owned land suitable for pineapple cultivation could be utilized effectively. It is also essential for receiving grants from government agencies such as National Horticulture Board (NHB). 5. Personal bank loans with 4% interest for a maximum of 100 hectares should be provided. Penalty interest and interest over interest must be nullified. 6. Subsidies from State and Central Governments must be provided to entire area of pineapple cultivation. 7. Drought, uncertain market, bandhs, hartals, strikes etc. hit pineapple sector causing severe losses to pineapple growers. Relief on loan repayment and moratorium on interest must be provided. 8. In order to reduce pineapple farming expenses and to overcome labour shortage, mechanization of cultivation practices suitable for Kerala topography is essential. 9. Enable transport of farm labourers to pineapple farm in pickups, tempos etc. 10. Quality biofertilizers and biocontrol agents with subsidy must be provided for organic pineapple cultivation. 11. Fake biofertilizers, growth promoters and pesticides must be banned. 12. Urea allotment per district must be hiked depending upon the area of pineapple cultivation. 13. Research must be carried out for increasing shelf life of pineapple which can boost pineapple processing and export 14. When pineapple market price drops Government must set a favourable support price, collect all the grades with ready cash through processing companies and process them fully.

GUIDELINES & ACTION PLAN FOR COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PINEAPPLE SECTOR

2

15. GST levied on agricultural tools and inputs like hand sprayers, gloves and other materials like wetting agents, dolomite etc. should be nullified. 16. Pineapple value added products must be exempted from GST. 17. Several small scale and large scale pineapple processing units with no or low GST should be commenced through Government initiatives. 18. Government owned Vazhakulam Agro & Fruit Processing Company Ltd. should function in full capacity and be boosted with necessary actions and monetary aids from Government. 19. Initiate production of diverse novel pineapple products including utilization of pineapple by-products such as bromelain and fibre. 20. Ensure Zero-Waste in every stage of pineapple value chain through proper by-product and waste management and utilization. 21. Renovate and modernise Asia’s largest pineapple market at Vazhakulam with novel technology inputs which could effectively avoid the present 20% handling losses. 22. Vazhakulam pineapple has got geographic indication about 8 years ago but production and export of pineapple in this brand has not been initiated. Production, marketing and export in the brand name and logo of Vazhakulam pineapple needs to be commenced and intensified. 23. Create awareness for comprehensive development of pineapple sector with the help of specific authentic publications; publicizing and popularising through all the media, trainings, workshops, etc 24. Research, cultivation, marketing, processing, export and waste management should be functionally coordinated and effectively integrated for the comprehensive development of the sector. Kerala Pineapple Mission created for the purpose is obsolete now. It should be revived and rejuvenated with senior whole-time independent officer to serve the purpose and fulfil the mission objectives. 25. Social issues are the major hassles for pineapple farmers. Growers should be permitted to grow crops peacefully and uninterruptedly. Government should curtail unnecessary controversies and disputes by enlightening the ignorant ones and protecting growers from exploiters and disputers. 26. Unnecessary legal issues and court cases should be avoided by authorizing the agricultural officer of the Krishibhavan of each Panchayat to permit and monitor cultivation of crops conforming to Kerala Agricultural University Package of Practices and Recommendations. 27. Exclude agricultural production and related activities from strikes, hartals, bundhs, etc as followed for milk, paper and hospital vehicles. 28. Ensure transparency in every dealings. 29. Make all information accessible through digital technologies in just one mouse click.

Problems, solutions and implementing agencies for comprehensive development of pineapple sector No. Problems

Solutions

Agencies

1

Publications on clear guidelines, creation of awareness on cultivation, marketing, processing, export and waste management

Government of Kerala, Kerala Agricultural University, Department of Agriculture, Health Department

Develop small scale and large scale processing industries, research and development of novel technologies and transfer to the public through trainings and publications; provide economic support

Government of Kerala, Kerala Agricultural University, Department of Agriculture, Banks, Department of industries and commerce, Agricultural and Processed Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

2.

Environmental and social problems, controversies and disputes Lack of processing and product diversification

GUIDELINES & ACTION PLAN FOR COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PINEAPPLE SECTOR 3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8. 9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, grading in pineapple; high price difference between grades Instability in market price

Follow cultivation technology for producing maximum ‘A’ grade fruits

Pineapple growers, Government of Kerala, Department of Agriculture

Fixation of support price, procurement of all fruit grades at that price on ready cash

Issues related to agriculture bank loans Inadequate labour force, high wages Lack of export and related issues

Constitute lease land policies, avoid agriinsurances Mechanization; involvement of SHGs, Kudumbashree

Government of Kerala, Vazhakulam Agro and Fruit Processing Company Limited, Kerala Pineapple Mission Government of Kerala, Department of Agriculture, Banks, NABARD Government of Kerala, Department of Agriculture

Creation of awareness, increase in shelf life, suggesting the maintenance protocols for export quality assurance, Government should promote and provide economic support for export, Promote MD-2 cultivation

Government of Kerala, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural and Processed Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), private agencies

High cost of nutrition Disease resistant varieties, unique varieties for fresh fruit, juice and canning and export Biowaste problems

Reduce GST of chemical fertilizers and give subsidies Development through inter-disciplinary participatory research

Government of Kerala, Central Government Central Plants Research Centres, Kerala Agricultural University, industry

Ensure Zero-Waste in every stage of pineapple value chain through proper byproduct and waste management and utilization Creation of awareness for transport of farm labour in Tempos and Pickups

Government of Kerala, Department of Agriculture, industry

Allow workers to commute through lorries, pickups and tempos in farm lands

Government of Kerala

Allow all recognized agricultural graduates to prescribe pesticides

Government of Kerala, Department of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University Government of Kerala, Kerala Pineapple Mission

Unnecessary interventions from the police Permit for multipurpose cars Issues related to pesticide prescription Obsolete Kerala Pineapple Mission

Revive and rejuvenate Kerala Pineapple Mission with senior whole-time independent officer to serve the purpose

Government of Kerala

Dr. Joy P.P. Professor and Head

3