Pineapple cultivators yet to get out of jam

KOCHI: Pineapple farming in the state, which brings about Rs 400 crore to the Exchequer, will be hijacked by other states unless the state government and the agriculture universities addressed the problems faced by the farmers.Pineapple cultivators have been facing a number of issues owing to lack of support from the government and the Kerala Agriculture University, Pineapple Farmers Association president Baby John said.People are under the notion that pineapple growers use harmful pesticides, he said. The farmers have not been able to convince the people that they had been using the pesticides certified by the government-recognised agencies. “We are not demanding financial support or any kind of sops from the government. Our only demand is to protect the farmers from the attack from a section of people who are ill-informed about the pesticides being used by us,” he said.The association wants the government to direct the Agriculture University to conduct a test in their laboratory to prove that the pineapples produced by the farmers do not contain harmful pesticides. This is to inform the public that the growers do not flout any norms laid down by the government, he said.The association has sent letters to the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister, Vice-Chancellor of KAU, and many other responsible officials long back. Unfortunately there has been no response. He said the farmers are also facing problems of labour shortage and climate change.Baby John said the farmers are dependent on the migrant labourers who are not available in a particular season. From February to July they return to their native places in connection with agriculture-related festivals and other works. Highlighting that the sector gave direct employment to about one lakh people in the state, he cautioned that any delay by the authorities concerned in addressing the issue will lead to serious consequences. Already people from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnakata, Maharashtra and the North East have shown keen interest in pineapple farming.