Nagpur is developing a new integrated policy for orange crops, which aims to deal with yield improvement, better water usage and a marketing campaign to promote Nagpur Oranges. The new policy was discussed by a study group for establishing orange processing and industry at a meeting in Nagpur on Tuesday 17th May.
State agriculture commissioner VV Deshmukh, who presided over the meeting, expressed concern over the alarming decline in yields as well as quality of the fruit in the last few years. He noted that although orange is grown on around 100,000 hectares in Vidarbha, these days orchard owners were earning barely enough to cover costs because of poor marketing avenues and crop management. The Ambia Bahar crop in October-December and Mrig Bahar in February-March floods the market, and oversupply leads to distress selling.
Morshi MLA Dr Anil Bonde pointed out that new research and technology with proven results was yet to find its way to the orchards in the region. He sought integration of the latest technology in the new policy for good results in all pre and post harvest processes. He further said the new drip irrigation system being recommended has double lateral flow but the government subsidy provides for single line drip, so farmers are denied the new technology. Similarly, the new orange varieties show good growth in spacing of 10ft but the government schemes impose condition of 20ft.
He also sought government intervention and support since the exports to Bangladesh are hit by import duty imposed by the neighbouring country. Dr Bonde stressed the promotion of Nagpur orange as a healthy fruit that increases the immune system, by promoting juice parlours aggressively.
Deshmukh sought better cold storage facilities and railway connectivity for transporting oranges to Delhi.
