Identifying Constraints and Suggestions in Pineapple Production and Post-Harvest Management

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) (Linn.) (Merr.), is one of the commercially important fruit-crop of the world especially in India. It is the third most important tropical fruit in the world after banana and citrus with fine flavor and high nutritive value. Pineapple is a good source of carotene (Vitamin A) and vitamin B and is fairly rich in ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and it also contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, a digestive enzyme that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation. The present study was undertaken with an aim to find out the reasons behind the low level of productivity in Imphal East district which has the highest area of pineapple in the state. The random sampling procedure was adopted to select the 120 sample from four villages selected for the present study. The constraints showed that majority of the pineapple growers in the area expressed the problems of inadequate facility of transport and communication, the improper pre- and post-harvest handling technique like absence of refrigerated vans for transportation, inappropriate packaging, lack of storage facilities etc. lead to heavy losses to the farmers.