Kutch's latest export: potato and chikoo chips

After the famed Kesar mango, that had mango-lovers raving for more in countries like the UK, potato crisps, banana chips and chikoo chips processed in Kutch are going abroad.

On an average 20 consignments are exported to the Middle East, Hong Kong, Africa and UK every week. The demand for these chips rose by 30 per cent over the previous year.

"The potato crisps, banana chips and chikoo chips have met with considerable success and are seeing stable demand in markets of Europe and Middle East, partly because they are low-fat and cholesterol free," said Govindbhai Patel, a leading Kutch-based exporter of potato and banana chips.

Patel, who began cultivating and processing food in Bhuj and Kutch over 60 acres of land, says that it is only in the past few years that the demand has picked up considerably.

"It was recently that I thought about manufacturing chikoo chips and then found it could be used in other forms too."

The sun-dried chips are priced at Rs 50 for a 100 gm pack and it can be consumed raw or deep-fried. In Italy it sells as "sweet crisps from India", while in America it known as "slim sweet chips".

"The move is encouraged by the successful export of Kutchi Kesar mangoes to UK, Canada and other countries in Europe. Last year around 10 tonnes of chikoo wafers were exported to Singapore, to the immense benifit of farmers in Kutch. The State government too has been pro-active in helping farmers in the district," said SB Moradia, deputy director of district horticulture, Kutch.

However, exporters continue to face problems as a result of lack of transportation. There is just one flight that operates daily from Bhuj.With no cargo flights, farmers are unable to send the required amount in time.

Huge international demand has not prompted the government to improve the infrastructure facilities such as air connectivity, packaging and storage .