Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP) 

Mangaluru, Jul 13: The international airport here has created record of sorts during June this year, particularly in the category of export.

During June this year, 649.54 metric tonnes of vegetables, fruits, and automobile spare parts were exported through this airport. Most of these exports are to Gulf countries. 

Exports through the airport here had been initiated in the year 2013-14. In the first year, the exports stood at 116.62 tonnes. The figure improved to Rs 338.92 tonnes in 2014-15, 473.88 tonnes in 2015-16, 748.16 tonnes in 2016-17, 2,251.17 tonnes in 2017-18, and 1,068.26 tonnes during the first three months of 2018-19.

Cargo manager of the airport here, K A Shrinivasan, is of the opinion that exports can be further improved if Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry takes interest and sets up vegetable growers cooperative society. The farmers need to be educated about exports, packaging methodology, connectivity with agencies etc. At the same time, he opines that setting up of import agencies in Gulf countries would help in achieving an increase in exports. Shrinivasan says that increase in exports will improve the country's economic condition and creates additional jobs. He however, agreed that frequent flights would also be required to achieve further progress in exports.

Currently most of the exports happen through Air India Express flights to Dubai, Jet Airways and SpiceJet flights to Dammam, Doha, Bahrain, and to Abu Dhabi through Air India flights. He said that during this month, an average of 25 to 30 tonnes of vegetables and fruits were exported every day. He said that more goods can be sent when the number of passengers is less. "Availability of flight services all through the day and night, and operation of flights by foreign airlines can contribute to increase in quantum of exports. Problems encountered in the operation of certain flights of late have adversely affected exports," he confessed. 

Although vegetables and fruits from Dakshina Kannada district have good demand abroad, local farmers and agencies have not evinced interest in exploiting this opportunity. Most of the vegetables and fruits being sent now come from other states and districts. In the recent past, vegetables which earlier used to be sent through Kozhikode and Kochi airports were sent through this airport.

It is said that export of fish, demand for which is high, has become difficult as airlines are not agreeable to carry fish as ice used for packaging melt during the transport. The only item that is exported currently from Dakshina Kannada district is automobile spare parts from Baikampady, sources stated.