Pineapple farmers grapple with poor transport facilities

Pineapple farmers at Vahzakkulam and neighbouring areas in the district have demanded transport facilities to take their produce to upcountry destinations like Delhi on a regular and sustainable basis. Paucity of trucks is the immediate cause for heartburn among farmers who feel that regular train freight services could solve the problem.

A general deceleration in the economy has resulted in less number of road carriers coming to Kerala. Pineapple farmers depend on trucks on their return trips for transporting the fruit to destinations where it is in great demand. Delhi is one such place where pineapple has a huge market, especially during summer, said Baby John, a veteran pineapple farmer from Thodupuzha.

According to a rough estimate, the number of trucks coming to Kerala with goods from other States has come down by around 40% as compared to the previous seasons.

For the record, a train facility was introduced three years ago to transport the fruit in cartons. However, the service was not sustained. Farmers like John and Thomas Varghese representing the General Merchants’ Association feel that a regular train freight service in which lorries can be loaded to rail wagons will be of immense help to farmers as they will not have to engage in loading and unloading consignments at various points.

It is estimated that pineapple production this season is slightly more than that of last year. Production may be up to 4 lakh tonnes this season, from around 3.25 lakh tonnes in the previous season.

“The price of the fruit hovers around ₹24 a kg. But if there is a means of economical transport of the commodity to markets where it is in demand, the farmers will benefit much. A regular train service will also substantially reduce the time taken for the consignments to reach their destinations,” Mr. John said.

While trucks take five to six days to reach Delhi from Kerala, trains take two to three days.