Killa (Udaipur): Attractive profit margins and a readily available market are making many farmers in the hilly stretches take up orange cultivation in areas that had been, at least, ten years ago considered to be hotspots of rubber production.
Mujesh Kaloi, a second-generation farmer from Telakong located under the Jampuijala sub-division of Sepahijala district said that he and his family fetched their first harvest of Mandarin oranges in 2014. “Agriculture is not my primary trade. I started orange cultivation after my graduation with knowledge of agriculture inherited from my father and elders. We grow oranges in 25 Kanis of land in our village.”
On being asked about the profit margins of the crop, he said, “The profit margins are quite satisfactory. One orange tree in its life cycle gives a minimum of 2,000 fruits which in all respects is better than that of any other crop you plant with a similar investment. But, yes you have to toil hard in the orchard as this crop is prone to diseases. Otherwise, someone can earn a good living through this crop if they want to do it commercially. The market is available everywhere. This year the prices are a bit low because of high production.”
Kaloi, however, underscored some key challenges that could only be resolved through government intervention. “Orange is grown in elevated land. This is the nature of this crop. The biggest challenge is to source water for the gardens in those challenging terrains. Without the government’s support, no farmer could build a robust water supply mechanism for these areas individually as it requires huge investment,” Kaloi explained.
He also demanded a proper supply of pesticides, fertilisers and related materials that other farmers receive from the government at subsidised prices.
Another orange grower of Killa Darjeeling Para located in Gomati District of Tripura said that sometimes excessive rains impact the harvest. “I have been cultivating rubber for the last ten years. I planted oranges in 2017. Out of 2,000 trees, 200 trees have completed the gestation period. The profit in rubber and orange are kind of equal but what attracted me towards orange is that it could be sold anywhere,” Ham Bahadur Molsom said.
What both Molsom and Kaloi have in common is that they have set up their makeshift stalls in the state-level orange festival organised at Killa, Udaipur. Both of them have brought the best harvest of their garden for display and sale in the Tripura Agriculture Department Sponsored Festival.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath who inaugurated the festival on November 09, recognised the contribution of the farmers to the state’s economy and called for the use of advanced tech like drone technology to scale up the production to the optimum level.
He said, “Bud grafting technology will be put into use to enhance the production in the coming season.”
Apurba Roy, secretary, Tripura Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department said, “In a recent review meeting chaired by the Minister of the department, we have decided that 4,00,000 new saplings developed through the bud grafting technology will be distributed among farmers. For that, our department will be looking for land in the orange-producing tracts located in different parts of the state.”
Further speaking on the areas which bear favourable agro-climatic conditions for orange cultivation, Minister Nath said, “Areas like Jampui Hills, Shakan, Killa, Jampuijala, Ampi and Baramura are some of the key areas where orange production is found to be very effective and successful. Through organising such fairs and festivals, we try to encourage the farmers and instil a competitive spirit within them.”
Highlighting how agriculture had played the anchor role in the state’s economy, Nath said, “The total income of the state in the last fiscal year stood at 82,625 crore. This figure covers everything, earned through the private and public sectors. Out of that 47.87 percent is contributed by the agriculture sector. Before our government came to power, the total income of the state stood at 43,716 crore even then the contribution of agriculture was 40 percent. This is why in the last six and half years, we have laid extra emphasis on building an atmosphere that could promote scientific data-backed agriculture. Based on the soil quality, cropping patterns are now being designed by experts.”
Nath also acknowledged the fact that when orange trees grow taller it becomes practically impossible for farmers to spray medicines which keep the fruits immune from infections and insects.
“Since Killa is a cluster of orange growers, we have decided that drones will be provided to the farmers which would be used for spraying medicines. The orange growers will also get Rs 20,000 financial assistance from the department. This year, 104 farmers have received financial support,” he added.
Local MLAs, MDCs and a team of senior journalists and editors also visited the festival along with the Minister and higher officials of the department.
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