Guwahati: Farmers in Meghalaya will receive 50–80% more for their pineapples as a result of a marketing initiative.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma announced today that as part of Meghalaya's 'FOCUS' program's Agri-Marketing initiatives, 100 Kgs of Queen Pineapples were sold directly by members of the 'Pynroilang Pineapple Producer Group' of Nongtyrlaw village, Ri Bhoi to Harvesting India Pvt Ltd., Chandigarh.

In the presence of government Chief Whip Marcuise Marak, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the Farmer's Collectivisation for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems (FOCUS) programme for Samanda block in East Garo Hills last year.

The FOCUS programme is the state government's flagship endeavour to offer farmers with market access and financial aid. Farmers in the state, who account for roughly 70% of the population, would receive additional benefits through the FOCUS programme, according to the state government, to enhance the different welfare programmes of the government that are in keeping with the state's goal for the agriculture sector. The programme has been allocated Rs 200 crores, which would be spent over the following four years.

Each member of the production group receives an initial mobilisation fund of Rs.5000/-. Through interventions across the value chain, the programme strives to improve the livelihoods of Meghalaya's farmers.

The initiative provides financial assistance to the farmers' collective known as the "Producers Group."

Sangma stated today that the pineapples were harvested a day ahead of time, packed in crates to avoid damage, then airlifted by IndiGo6E to consumers' tables the next day.

Harvesting India Pvt Ltd., Chandigarh, is a mobile marketplace for the country's 120 million farmers.

"Buyers are now on the ground in Tikrikilla and Ri Bhoi finalizing arrangements for the purchase and transportation of green pineapples by road," he explained.

Farmers will likely receive a 50-80 percent increase in price for fresh pineapples as a result of these marketing activities, according to him.

Harvesting India Pvt Limited previously transported 20,000 kg of Nadia ginger from a Meghalaya FPO to South Africa.