Another 10 MT consignment ready for Guwahati
Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Premium-quality pears grown in the Netarhat hills of Jharkhand are now moving beyond local markets and reaching organised retail chains and institutional buyers, providing farmers, particularly women-led producer groups, with better market access and pricing opportunities.
Under an initiative of the Scaling and Enabling for Trade Upliftment (SETU) Cell of Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), farmers are being connected with organised markets through women-led Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
As part of the initiative, nearly 5 metric tonnes of premium Netarhat pears have already reached organised buyers. Another consignment of around 10 metric tonnes is currently being collected and is being prepared for shipment to Guwahati in Assam.
The initiative focuses on strengthening the entire value chain rather than merely providing market access. Pears are being collectively procured from farmers and subjected to scientific grading, sorting and quality checks before being packed and transported through organised logistics.
Through Agri Arjuna, Netarhat pears are reaching organised retail chains, including Reliance. Additional consignments are also being supplied to premium domestic markets through Tincture Agri.
The organised marketing system is expected to help farmers reduce dependence on traditional local markets and secure better prices for their produce. The involvement of women-led FPOs is also aimed at strengthening the role of rural women in agricultural value chains.
Netarhat’s cool climate is considered favourable for pear cultivation, making the region one of Jharkhand’s important pear-producing areas. The JSLPS initiative is expected to give Netarhat pears greater visibility in organised markets and strengthen their position as a key horticultural product from Jharkhand.
