Famous the world over, oranges produced in Nagpur, popularly known as Nagpuri Santra, are likely to be in short supply this year. Due to scant rainfall, the rising heat and fungal diseases, have led to the damage of 30 per cent of the fruit crop in a couple of months. If the diseases are not controlled now, it might affect 70 per cent of the crop. Experts from the State Agriculture department have pegged estimated losses at Rs 2.34 billion ($38.9 million USD).

Scientists from the National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC) — an arm of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research — discovered the crop-destroying outbreak upon conducting a detailed survey in the region.

Citrus crops like neeby, mosambi and orange are grown across 1.5 million hectares in and around Nagpur. Average orange production is around 10 tonnes per hectare. According to scientists, it is low compared to USA, Brazil and Israel.

Experts say flowering of Ambia Bahar (spring blossom) — a variety of orange grown in the area around June and July — starts in February; fruiting begins in April, and it is harvested around September.

NRCC scientist Dinkarnath Garg said, "Diseases like Colletotrichum has affected the production heavily. Due to scanty rainfall in June, July and August, the trees did not get enough water, resulting in weakening of the stem of the fruit which has eventually begun falling." He added, "Also, a receding water table in the area has resulted in drying up of many citrus crop orchards. The farmers of spring blossom are paying the heaviest price as this variety is mainly planted in Amravati and Nagpur district, which depends on drip irrigation systems."

Following the trend, NRCC scientists conducted field visits in August. Dr M S Ladaniya, director of NRCC, said, "We are giving specific advisories for disease control, so that it does not affect production."

Swapnil Dote, a farmer who has grown oranges on his 10-acre land plot in Kola village in Nagpur district, said, "We didn't get adequate rainfall at a crucial stage and have lost half of the crop. Around Rs 70,000 ($1,162 USD) per hectare has been spent in vain."

Another farmer, Tarasingh Kale from Pinkapar village, said, "My crops are spread across 12 hectares. The total cost of the plot is around Rs 700,000 ($11,672 USD) but I have lost half of the production. How will I get returns now?" Last year, farmers got Rs 30,000 ($498 usd) per tonne in the Nagpur open market. Manoj Jaunjal, secretary of Maharashtra Orange Growers Association, "The government should take cognisance of this situation and consider a special package for growers."

The GR of June 6, 2014, says that insurance will be granted for a specific time period, against specific weather-related risks. In the case of orange and sweet lime, protection against low rainfall will be provided from June 15 to July 15, 2014, and protection against break in rainfall will be provided from July 15 to August 15 this year. State and Centre will pay 50 per cent of the insurance premium, while the remaining 50 per cent will have to be borne by the farmer.

Farmers will be required to pay a premium of Rs 3,600 ($60 USD) per hectare for orange and sweet lime, and Rs 1,800 ($30 USD) per hectare for Guava, against assured compensation of Rs 60,000 ($996 USD) and Rs 30,000 ($498 USD) per hectare.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/