In 2024, farmers in Sialhawk village, which is located in the Khawzawl district of Mizoram, suffered a terrible financial setback when almost 4,000 quintals of pineapples worth Rs. 40 lakh went bad and withered away. The town, which is well-known for growing a lot of pineapple, produced almost 13,000 quintals during the July and August harvest season. But even if 9,000 quintals were sold, there were still large losses because there were no customers for the remaining produce.
Since 2005, Sialhawk, which produces almost 60% of Mizoram’s pineapple production, has served as a center for pineapple cultivation, providing a living for 250 households that rely significantly on the fruit. The loss has brought attention to the pressing need for government support in order to guarantee sustainable farming methods and improved market accessibility. The Sialhawk Lakhuhthei (Pineapple) Society secretary, Kawllianpuia, revealed that the farmers were able to sell pineapples for Rs. 10 per kilogram, bringing in Rs. 90 lakh.
However, the lack of government-backed marketing assistance and restricted market access resulted in a significant amount of the harvest being squandered. Government programs that helped farmers connect with buyers in previous years helped them avoid waste. But in 2024, the absence of this support compelled farmers to look for purchasers on their own, which was a difficult task. Frustrated, some members of the society criticized the state administration for ignoring their situation.
