Bangalore: Coorg oranges are greenish yellow and have a tight skin and a tangy taste unlike their better-known Nagpur counterpart, which is much sweeter with a loose skin.

Once regarded as the pride of Kodagu, they are now facing extinction. However, the high-yielding and fine-flavoured fruit that has been an inter-crop among coffee plantations for over 160 years is being given a new lease of life by the Horticulture Department after the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry granted a GI certificate for the crop.

"The Department of Horticulture has approved a policy package for the rejuvenation of Coorg orange cultivation on organic practices," K. Ramakrishnappa, Joint Director of Horticulture (Biotechnology) of the State Government, told The Hindu .

Under a three-year action plan, for which the National Horticulture Mission has granted Rs. 47.5 lakhs, the Department of Horticulture will take up multi-location trials under various agro-climatic conditions for growing Coorg oranges on organic practices in an area of 100 hectares.

Dr. Ramakrishnappa explained that Coorg orange lost its vigour and the production declined drastically in the wake of a virus attack, rampant use of pesticides and fertilizers by coffee growers, and destruction of several natural species that were supplementing its growth.

The scheme will be implemented by the Kodagu Model Forest Trust (KMFT) and Biocentre, a non-governmental organisation. The new action plan was firmed up after a scheme to revive the cultivation of Coorg oranges failed to yield significant results. The conventional method of cultivation that was tried out in the past two years was not found suitable for Coorg oranges, Dr. Ramakrishnappa said.

Coorg orange, considered a heritage of Kodagu, the "Scotland of India", witnessed a drastic decline in acreage from about 24,000 hectares under cultivation in the 1960s to 1,400 hectares now.

Each plant that once yielded 50 kg to 60 kg of oranges now produces only about 10 kg.

"The GI certificate has come at a time when the crop is on the verge of extinction. The certificate will be a very useful tool to motivate farmers to revive cultivation of Coorg oranges," said C.G. Kushalappa, honorary secretary, KMFT.

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