PINEAPPLES FROM SEETHAMPETA, SRIKAKULAM DIST  The well known local variety of pineapple”Simhachalam” which is very sweet with juicy pulp and gold colour  is grown in about 15000 acres in Savara tribal pockets of Palkonda and Seethampeta mandals. The quality of fruit in this area is very good due to traditional organic cultivation practices of tribals. The soils are very rich with good amount of organic matter. These pineapples contain more vitamins and protein when compare to the same fruit grown in commercial Agriculture areas. Despite the presence of ITDA, Horti Dept, Velugu, ZBNF, number of FPOs there is hardly any aggregation and marketing support, forget about value addition and storage systems. Local sandies with all sorts of exploitative methods is the only marketing venue for these poor tribals, Like the fate of most of agri commodities, the pineapple rates are Rs 6 to 8/ piece weighing around 1 to 1.5 kgs as against last year rates of Rs 14 to 18.  ...