"India: First "Vazhakulam Pineapple" on way to Delhi"
The Southern Railways has agreed to carry the pineapple on its passenger trains to North India on a regular basis, at reduced freight rates.
Baby John, president of the Vazhakulam Pineapple Farmers Association, said that it would the first shipment of pineapple from Vahzakulam with the `Vazhakulam Pineapple’ label on the carton. Though pineapple grown in Vazhakulam – jokingly called the Pineapple Republic – and nearby areas in Ernakulam and Idukki districts secured the GI tag a couple of years ago, the producers and traders are now using the label for the first time.
Up until now the pineapples have been taken to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata by trucks, taking several days to arrive. Moving the fruit by train will reduce the journey time to just 3 days, greatly improving the quality of fruit on sale.
Vazhakulam has traditionally been specialising in the cultivation of pineapples and has gained a cult status in pineapple markets in the country because of its extra sweetness and flavour. The GI tag has boosted its marketability.
Recently, the State government set up the Pineapple Mission to focus on the cultivation and marketing as well as R&D. Of late, pineapple produced anywhere in Kerala has been referred to as Vazhakulam.’
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
