Contribution Of AGRI Biotech Science In Gherkin Industry - India
Prabuddh Mishra, Founder & CEO, Vanproz Agrovet, 0
Gherkin is a term generally used to refer to a savoury pickled cucumber. Gherkins and commercial cucumbers belong to the same species (Cucumis sativus), but are from different cultivar groups. They are usually picked when 4-8 cm (1-3 in) in length and pickled in jars or cans with vinegar (often flavored with herbs, particularly dill; hence, ‘dill pickle’) or brine. India has today emerged as the origin of the finest gherkin cultivation, processing and exporters to the every-growing world requirement.
Gherkin cultivation, processing and exports started in India during the early 1990s with a modest beginning in Karnataka State in South India and later extended to the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. India exported 180820.87 MT of Cucumber & Gherkins, worth Rs. 942.72 crores/$141.02 millions during the year 2016-17 with major destinations being US, Belgium, Russia, France, and Spain.
Gherkins are grown in contact with small and marginal farmers. Currently there are more than 1,00,000 small and marginal farmers who are engaged in the production of gherkins.
Gherkins are cultivated exclusively on ‘contract farming’ basis. The entire gamut of activities in the cultivation practices, followed by the farmers, processing standards, are adhered to by the Indian gherkin manufacturers to produce very high quality gherkins for the world markets. This is the industry, which has showcased the true and successful model of contract farming, with which the industry is able to have a good quality control over the final produce as per the requirement of the international market.
India has today emerged as the origin of the finest gherkin cultivation, processing and exporters to the every-growing world requirement. The export of processed gherkin is done by about 51 companies located in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Gherkins are grown in contact with small and marginal farmers. Currently there are more than 1,00,000 small and marginal farmers who are engaged in the production of gherkins. The contract farmers receive all inputs and technical support from the companies and also the farmers are assured guaranteed buy back of crop at pre-declared prices. Initially processed gherkins were exported in bulk packing and since 2001 gherkins are being exported in ‘Ready-to-eat Jars’. There are about 51 major companies producing and exporting gherkins in drums and ready-to-eat consumer packs.
Gherkins are grown only in South India, where the ideal soil type and the desirable temperatures of not less than 15 degrees Centigrade and not more than 35 degrees Centigrade are found mainly in Karnataka State, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh of South India. These conditions which are prevalent throughout the year render this region ideal to take up three crops of gherkins annually. Little wonder that processing plants of international standards have established here to cater to the requirement of foreign buyers. Over 700 crore worth of Indian Gherkins are exported every year with an ever increasing demand because of the Quality Assurance given by the manufacturers.
India has today emerged as the origin of the finest gherkin cultivation, processing and exporters to the every-growing world requirement. The export of processed gherkin is done by about 51 companies located in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Gherkins are grown in contact with small and marginal farmers. Currently there are more than 1,00,000 small and marginal farmers who are engaged in the production of gherkins. The contract farmers receive all inputs and technical support from the companies and also the farmers are assured guaranteed buy back of crop at pre-declared prices. Initially processed gherkins were exported in bulk packing and since 2001 gherkins are being exported in ‘Ready-to-eat Jars’. There are about 51 major companies producing and exporting gherkins in drums and ready-to-eat consumer packs.
Gherkins are grown only in South India, where the ideal soil type and the desirable temperatures of not less than 15 degrees Centigrade and not more than 35 degrees Centigrade are found mainly in Karnataka State, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh of South India. These conditions which are prevalent throughout the year render this region ideal to take up three crops of gherkins annually. Little wonder that processing plants of international standards have established here to cater to the requirement of foreign buyers. Over 700 crore worth of Indian Gherkins are exported every year with an ever increasing demand because of the Quality Assurance given by the manufacturers.