1,000 tonnes of Nagpur oranges set to be exported to Gulf countries, Africa

Manoj Jawanjal showing oranges in his farm at Katol.

By Praveen Vighre :

Although, the humid climate followed by disease called ‘Brown Rot’ has destroyed 30 per cent of the cash crop like oranges, the remaining 70 per cent crop is in good condition. It has raised high hopes of farmers to cash on handsome income, said orange growers. Shreedharrao Thakare, Executive Director of MahaOrange, the exporter facilitator company engaged in grading, waxing and promotion of oranges, while talking to The Hitavada, said, “The Ambia season is good, despite of the long rainy season. The crop is being cultivated on one lakh hectares of land in the region.”

He said, due to the formation of ‘Orange Cluster,’ an initiative undertaken by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Government agencies like APEDA are taking awareness programmes and guiding farmers. Such programmes have helped in increasing per acre yield of crop in the region. “COVID-19 pandemic has increased an awareness of vitamin C which is available in ample quantity in citrus fruits. It has multiplied the demand of oranges not only in India but in the overseas markets too,” he disclosed. Last season due to outbreak of COVID-19, he said, “Till March, we were able to supply only 100 tonnes of oranges to Dubai against the demand of 500 tonnes,” he said.

The Ambia season will commence from September 25, countries like UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Africa have already placed orders for 1,000 tonnes of oranges. Those who are experts in the field of agriculture should guide the farmers from time to time in controlling the diseases which are destroying cash crop like oranges. “Three webinars have been conducted under the guidance of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for orange-growers.

We now want permanent arrangement to fight the pest diseases and save farmers from suffering monetary losses,” he demanded. Manoj Jawanjal, a progressive farmer from Katol who has 33 acres of orange plantation said, “The Ambia season is better than last two seasons. I am doing farming on Israel pattern due to which I am getting good quality of crop which is highly in demand in the global markets. I have shunned the traditional method of orange cultivation as there was large room for huge losses.” Jawanjal whose oranges are organic and sweet in taste also fetch a good price in the domestic market. “Maharashtra Government is taking efforts to educate orange-growers in the region.

He also informed that Maharashtra Government was taking measures for the damage control and helping the farmers. “Eknath Dhawale, Secretary Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra recently visited orange-growing centres in Katol tehsil and took stock of the situation,” Jawanjal said. Dr D M Panchbhai, agriculture expert said, in Nagpur district, oranges are grown in 35,000 hectares of land. Farmers should take collective efforts to fight the ‘Brown Rot’. They should spray Foselyt or Metalaxil on the crop to kill the pest. He informed that in Nagpur district oranges are grown on 35,000 hectares of land.