by Priti Nath Jha, The Times of India
The Shahi litchi, which is primarily grown in Muzaffarpur district, will soon flood the Kerala market from December 20, according to the director of Muzaffarpur-based National Litchi Research Centre (NLRC), Vishalnath.
On his return from Kerala and Karnataka, Vishalnath said on Monday that high temperature of 32 degree celcius in Kerala during the current winter season has helped that state to grow the luscious litchis which will mature by end December.
The saplings of Shahi litchis were carried from Ranchi to some parts of Kerala 20 to 30 years ago. Encouraged by good return in the market, some Kerala farmers purchased 10,000 saplings of Shahi litchi from NLRC recently.
Vishalnath said litchi farming is replacing rubber and mangosteen plantations in major parts of Kerala because of high prices of Shahi litchi in neighboring Mumbai and Bangalore. It is being mainly grown in two districts of Kerala- Wynad and Iduki. Kerala farmers have started giving importance to Shahi litchi farming only for the last three years.
Therefore, it has no bulk or organized markets. Its market is limited though it is also sold along roadside in some pockets, he said.A bulk producer of Muzaffarpur’s Shahi litchi Bholanath Jha said on Monday that farmers of Muzaffarpur should take a lesson from Kerala farmers who sale their produce directly in the markets and earn good profit. On the contrary, Muzaffarpur growers sell their orchards to traders well before flowering of the fruit.
As such, farmers do nothing to improve soil nutrition or irrigation of plants. Traders pluck half-ripen fruits to earn as early as possible. This generates bad impression about Muzaffarpur litchi, he said. The government has not been able to extend any help to exporters of Muzaffarpur litchi by providing concession to engage chartered cargo plane to supply the fruit to European countries in time.
Jha said Muzaffarpur’s Shahi litchi has a life span of only 30 days. It is mainly exported by ships which takes 15 to 20 days to reach different destinations.
As a result, it has only a week’s time to remain in the market. Exporters have suffered huge losses in the past and so they dare not take any risk. Even if the fruit is sent to indigenous markets, it can fetch good profits, Jha added.
Vishalnath said there has been no research on Kerala litchi but attempts have led the research centre to hope that it can extend the duration of Muzaffarpur fruit by 15 to 20 days as the rain that coincide with the season leads to rotting of the fruit or attract the attack of insects.
Source: The Times of India