Other States - Himachal Pradesh

Kangra leads in litchi cultivation

Dharamshala May 21. Kangra in Himachal Pradesh has earned the distinction of being a pioneer district in the cultivation of litchi, producing 1,000 tonnes of the fruit in a year.

Efforts are afoot to bring more and more areas under litchi cultivation as the valley offers rich potential for the fruit.

The state's Horticulture Department said its efforts resulted in bringing about a discernible change in the socio-economic lot of the orchardists engaged in litchi cultivation.

Originally, a Chinese fruit, litchi was introduced in India in the 17th century.

In Himachal Pradesh, the fruit is grown in some pockets of Kangra, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, Sirmour, Solan, Chamba and Mandi districts. The total area under litchi plantation in the state is 2,131 hectares out of which Kangra alone contributes 1,668 hectares.

Earlier, practice of unsystematic and unscientific method of horticulture plantation hindered cultivation of litchi on commercial scale. But over the years, progressive farmers with a view to achieving higher productivity as well as enhanced income levels have been approaching the Horticulture Department for technical guidance, inputs, and fruit plants.

More plantation of litchi has not only increased the green cover but also gone a long way in conserving moisture content, the Department said.

Kangra's agro-climatic conditions are suitable for this cash crop that is less prone to pests and disease as compared to other sub-tropical fruit crops.

According to an estimate, the total expenditure for growing litchi on one hectare of land comes to Rs 23,500, including preparation of land, and cost of fruit plants.

The number of litchi plants over one hectare of land varies between 100 and 120. On an average, an orchardist can earn around Rs 1 lakh from one hectare of litchi-growing land in a season.

During the year 2001-2002, as many as 19,893 fruit plants were distributed among the growers in Kangra district from the nurseries run by the Department of Horticulture. -- UNI

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