The Hindu Business Line : Amla stakeholders' meet in Madurai

THE Amla Growers Association of India is organising a national seminar on "Globalisation of Amla" during October 7 and 9 at Madurai. This is the third national seminar being organised by the association.

The organising committee said the first seminar created an awareness about amla (gooseberry) among the growers, while the second evoked phenomenal response with delegates from various States exchanging information and exploring its potential.

"The proposed conference is aimed at bringing together the stakeholders in amla growing, research, development, processing and trade for deliberation and discussion on various issues,' Mr Arun R. Nagarajan, Organising Secretary, said.

He told Business Line that the area under amla increased to over 25,000 acres in Tamil Nadu alone in recent years. While the State topped in productivity at 7,000 kg/acre, it ranked third in production, next only to Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

Ninety per cent of the produce is being off loaded in the Kerala market. The prevailing rate of Rs 28/kg, growers say "is quite unexpected" as they had anticipated a steep fall in price levels to around Rs 15 a kg. They attribute this to the produce being made available for almost 8 months a year (in the South), compared to just 3 months in the North. "This is due to better cultivation practices and techniques," Mr Nagarajan said.

The National Horticulture Board, the National Medicinal Plants Board and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are sponsoring the event, in which close to 900 delegates are expected to converge.

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Amla stakeholders' meet in Madurai