Inclement weather, stubble burning hit kinnow output

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 27

Smog caused by stubble burning and climatic changes this year has hit the kinnow crop in Fazilka and Muktsar districts. This has not just affect the size of the kinnow, but fruit dropping is also high in orchards.

“Luckily, we are getting good prices for kinnow so we can manage our losses,” say growers.

Avneet Brar, kinnow grower from Daulatpura village in Abohar, said, “Fruit dropping is high this time due to various factors, including climatic change, less rainfall during monsoon and fresh rainfall in November. The fruit size is also likely to remain smaller in comparison to last year. Further, per plant average fruit bearing too is likely to remain less this year. Stubble burning has also affected the kinnow crop. Some growers fearing high dropping sold green coloured kinnows that fetch lower price.”

Balwinder Singh Tikka, state awardee kinnow grower from Abul Khurana village in Muktsar district, said, “There are various factors behind kinnow dropping. Weather is the main reason. Besides, some farmers have grown plants at a gap of less than 20-ft each, which is not favourable for this fruit. Even dropping depends on care and nutrition of plant. Some growers spend money to take care of their plants, while a majority of people avoid it due to increasing input costs. The fruit dropping is high in the Abohar area.”

Aman Ahuja, kinnow grower from Khubban village in Fazilka district, said, “The size of kinnow is significantly smaller and dropping of fruit is high this time. There was deficit rainfall in monsoon, when it was required for the orchards and now there is huge variation in day and night temperature. Weather and stubble burning are the main reasons behind it. Due to stubble burning, sunlight did not appear for a few days and it resulted into dropping. I also grow vegetables and these too are taking more time due to climatic change because of stubble burning.”

Mohit Kumar, another kinnow grower from Fazilka district, said, “Foggy days have started and dew drops stop at the tip of the fruit, which results into dropping. The weather is playing main role in high dropping this time. The fruit dropping was negligible in June this year.”

Fruit traders are currently offering Rs 20 per kg for good quality fruit.