In Maharashtra, the majority of orange farmers have struggled with poor crop quality, low prices, no export opportunities and a lack of processing facilities. This has now changed as since last year, 'Mahaorange', an orange growers forum in the region, has been marketing the fruit with support from the Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB) and farmers' groups and associations as well as individual progressive farmers.
In 2015 Mahaorange not only managed to export oranges to Sri Lanka but also exported bananas. The organization has also created a space for itself in the malls and has successfully sold fruits to some processing units outside Vidarbha as well as retail markets all across the state.
Times of India spoke to one of the directors, Shridhar Thakre, about the achievements and the plans of Mahaorange. To read excerpts from the interview, please click here.
