PINEAPPLES are widely grown in the northeastern states of India, including Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura. The most popular varieties grown in the region are Kew and Queen, which are known for being sweet and having less fiber.
In Meghalaya, pineapples are traditionally grown on hilly slopes using rainfed conditions and indigenous cultural practices. These fruits are free from chemical residues and have the potential to be developed into certified organic pineapple producing hubs.
Pineapples from the region are in high demand in both the national and global markets, and the area is considered ideal for pineapple cultivation. The fruit is available year-round in the form of juice or slices, and pineapple juice can also be used in folk medicine as a diuretic, to expedite labor, and as a gargle for sore throats
Arunachal Pradesh is the largest producer of kiwis in India, and the fruit is also grown in other states in the northeast, including Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim, and Meghalaya. The state's natural agro-climate conditions are ideal for kiwi cultivation, and in 2000, farmers began to recognize the fruit's commercial potential. In 2020, Arunachal Pradesh became the first state in India to receive organic certification for kiwis from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). This certification is a result of a strict scientific assessment, and it's expected to boost the local economy and put Arunachal Pradesh on the national radar as a potential producer.
Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh is the only district to produce kiwi fruit in the cluster
Litchi (Litchi Chinensis) is a subtropical evergreen fruit grown in several regions of northeastern India, including Meghalaya, Assam, and Nagaland.
Litchi is grown in the North and East Garo Hills, and the border areas of Ri Bhoi and Khasi Hills. Litchi from this region is earlymedium in maturity, except for the Nongjri variety, which matures late.
Litchi is grown in Tezpur, where it's known for its quality, flavor, juicy pulp, and attractive red color. The most common varieties grown in Tezpur are Bombaiya, Piyaji, and Bilatee, and the best varieties are Bombaiya and Elaichi. In November 2020, Tezpur litchi was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to protect it from production elsewhere and to certify its origins in the state.
Litchi production practices in Nagaland include soil and climate, cultivars, propagation, planting, training and pruning, manure and fertilizer, irrigation, mulching, and water conservation
In the North Eastern Region (NER) of India, mango is mainly cultivated in subtropical plain / mid hill region of Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya. Cultivation of mango is believed to have originated in South East Asia. mango is being cultivated in southern Asia for nearly six thousand years. .
The mango fruit is very popular due to its wide range of adaptability, high nutritive value, richness in variety, delicious taste and excellent favour. It is a rich source of vitamin A and C. The fruit is consumed raw or ripe. Good mango varieties contain 20% of total soluble sugars.
mango is well adapted to tropical and sub-tropical climates. It thrives well in almost all the regions of the country but cannot be grown commercially in areas above 600 m. It cannot stand severe frost, especially when the tree is young. High temperature by itself is not so injurious to mango, but in combination with low humidity and high winds, it asects the tree adversely.
The North Eastern Region (NER) of India needs a special attention for promoting the cultivation of mango particularly in the area suitable for its cultivation and wild varieties may also be brought under consideration for further investigation and its subsequent use in mango development programme through further research.
Tripura jackfruits have been making their way to Bangladesh markets for decades through riverine routes.Tripura has also exported jackfruits to Germany, England, and London.
The horticulture department of Tripura has been working on increasing the shelf life of jackfruit through natural processes. The state government has also launched a 153 crore Pineapple & Jackfruit Mission for the next 5 years.
Tripura jackfruit is a popular fruit ranking first in total area and annual production in Tripura (Table 1). Tripura is considered to be the home of jackfruit and it is reservoir of many year-round producing genotypes. Diverse forms of jack have been growing in hilly slopes and plains
In a major step towards harnessing exports potential of agricultural and processed food products from north-eastern region, a shipment of 1.2 metric tonne (MT) of fresh jackfruit was exported from Tripura to London.
Jackfruits were sourced from the Tripura based Krishi Sanyoga Agro Producer Company Ltd. The consignment was packed at APEDA assisted pack-house facility of Salt Range Supply Chain Solution Ltd and exported by Kiega EXIM Pvt Ltd
