BIHAR ( Kishanganj ):The word "pineapple" in English was first recorded in 1398, when it
was originally used to describe the reproductive organs of conifer trees
(now termed pine cones).
The term "pine cone" for the reproductive organ of conifer trees was
first recorded in 1694. When European explorers discovered this tropical
fruit, they called them "pineapples" (first so referenced in 1664 due
to resemblance to what is now known as the pine cone).
In the scientific binomial Ananas comosus, ananas, the original name of the fruit, comes from the Tupi word nanas, meaning "excellent fruit", as recorded by André Thevet in 1555, and comosus, "tufted", refers to the stem of the fruit. Other members of the Ananas genus are often called "pine", as well, by laymen.
Bihari Farmers fascinated Pineapple cultivation across two blocks of Thakurganj and Pothia in Kishanganj district on the foothills of Himalayas. The juicy and delectable with vitamin-rich pineapple, which is also a fine appetizer, has a rich market and is considered highly profitable. Besides, the soil and climatic conditions, with temperature hovering between 15 to 35 degree Celsius, are quite congenial for growing the pineapple in this farm hinterland in the district. The four-degree difference in day and night temperature only works wonder for the pineapple cultivation. Besides, the rainfall required to nurture and sustain the crop, is also suitable for pineapple cultivation. "No wonder, farmers are falling head over heels for this fruit," say senior farm officials.
In the scientific binomial Ananas comosus, ananas, the original name of the fruit, comes from the Tupi word nanas, meaning "excellent fruit", as recorded by André Thevet in 1555, and comosus, "tufted", refers to the stem of the fruit. Other members of the Ananas genus are often called "pine", as well, by laymen.
Bihari Farmers fascinated Pineapple cultivation across two blocks of Thakurganj and Pothia in Kishanganj district on the foothills of Himalayas. The juicy and delectable with vitamin-rich pineapple, which is also a fine appetizer, has a rich market and is considered highly profitable. Besides, the soil and climatic conditions, with temperature hovering between 15 to 35 degree Celsius, are quite congenial for growing the pineapple in this farm hinterland in the district. The four-degree difference in day and night temperature only works wonder for the pineapple cultivation. Besides, the rainfall required to nurture and sustain the crop, is also suitable for pineapple cultivation. "No wonder, farmers are falling head over heels for this fruit," say senior farm officials.
Pineaapple FlowerThe pineapple cultivation started off only few years back in this district. However, nearly 5,000 acres of land are under pineapple cultivation in the two blocks of Thakurganj and Pothia in the district. Whereas the pineapple cultivation calls for an investment of Rs 1.3 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh per acre, the farmers reap anything between Rs 3.6 lakh to Rs 4.2 lakh per acre, according to district agriculture officer (DAO) Sant Lal Sah. It is still to spread elsewhere in the district though.
"The pineapple cultivation is a long and endurable process. It takes nearly 12 to 15 months to mature. The main period for its cultivation is between December and April, but the farming could be done between June and October as well," explained Mohammad Yunus ,a farmer at Churli under Thakurganj block. "It is both labour and cost effective cultivation. But, the ready market availability is a big impetus," said Krishna Patel. Bidhannagar in West Bengal is the hub for pineapple buyers and sellers.
Southeast Asia dominates world production: in 2001, Thailand produced 1.979 million tons and the Philippines 1.618 million tons, while in the Americas Brazil
produced 1.43 million tons. Total world production in 2001 was 14.220
million tons. The primary exporters of fresh pineapples in 2001 were Costa Rica, 322,000 tons; Côte d'Ivoire, 188,000 tons; and the Philippines, 135,000 tons.
Since about 2000, the most common fresh pineapple fruit found in U.S.
and European supermarkets is a low-acid hybrid that was developed in
Hawaii in the early 1970s.
In commercial farming, flowering can be induced artificially, and the early harvesting of the main fruit can encourage the development of a second crop of smaller fruits. Once removed during cleaning, the top of the pineapple can be planted in soil and a new plant will grow. Slips and suckers are planted commercially.
"Pineapple is mainly grown in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura,Mizoram, Kerala, Karnataka,Goa and West Bengal. But, like tea in the recent past, pineapple is catching the fancy of farmers in Thakurganj and Pothia blocks as well," said the senior farm officials. "Pineapple is exported to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nepal, Maldives, Netherland and United Kingdom and was pegged at a measly 138 tonnes in the year 1999-2000. But, the same peaked to 837 tonnes in 2001-2002 and has since zoomed to 1,100 tonnes," said the Kishanganj DAO.
In commercial farming, flowering can be induced artificially, and the early harvesting of the main fruit can encourage the development of a second crop of smaller fruits. Once removed during cleaning, the top of the pineapple can be planted in soil and a new plant will grow. Slips and suckers are planted commercially.
"Pineapple is mainly grown in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura,Mizoram, Kerala, Karnataka,Goa and West Bengal. But, like tea in the recent past, pineapple is catching the fancy of farmers in Thakurganj and Pothia blocks as well," said the senior farm officials. "Pineapple is exported to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nepal, Maldives, Netherland and United Kingdom and was pegged at a measly 138 tonnes in the year 1999-2000. But, the same peaked to 837 tonnes in 2001-2002 and has since zoomed to 1,100 tonnes," said the Kishanganj DAO.
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