Horticulture produce from Himachal Pradesh is steadily carving out a distinct identity in international markets. In a notable development, 1.3 metric tonnes of Sinduri variety pomegranates grown in Kullu district have been successfully exported to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The state government views this milestone as a crucial step toward strengthening the financial standing of local farmers and orchardists while taking Himachali fruits straight to global consumers.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated on Thursday that the state administration is taking effective measures to ensure growers receive appropriate remuneration for their hard work. The ongoing objective is to connect agricultural and horticultural goods from Himachal with domestic markets as well as international destinations, thereby offering producers superior marketing opportunities and better returns.
Gathered Through An FPO Of Six Hundred Farmers
The exported consignment of pomegranates was pooled together through the collaborative efforts of Kullu growers and a Farmers Producer Organisation based in Bhuntar. Approximately 600 farmers are associated with this organization, working collectively to aggregate their harvest. Among the local producers who supplied the pomegranates for this international shipment are Reena Devi, Sanjay Kumar, Nitish Kumar, and Veer Singh Guleria, whose combined efforts brought the initiative to fruition.
The Chandigarh regional office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority provided vital assistance in facilitating this export process. This institutional support has enabled local growers to secure a direct foothold in the international marketplace, opening new avenues for future agricultural trade beyond national borders.
Emphasis On Quality And Previous Exports To Oman
The Chief Minister emphasized that the administration remains dedicated to improving the economic well-being of cultivators by upgrading marketing infrastructure and extending necessary backing to encourage exports. He urged farmers and orchardists to cultivate high-quality crops and fruit varieties that align with the demands of overseas buyers. He noted that paying strict attention to quality allows Himachali fruits to establish a unique and lasting presence worldwide.
Efforts to boost fruit exports from the region also saw success earlier this year in June, when six progressive growers from the Jadol-Tikkar and Bagi areas of Shimla district dispatched an initial consignment of 400 kilograms of cherries and 400 kilograms of plums to Oman. The arrival of Kullu pomegranates in Dubai and Shimla cherries and plums in Oman demonstrates that foreign markets are actively being explored for traditional produce from the state, with the administration focused on expanding marketing networks and export volumes.
