Kinnow price drop raises worries of Fazilka growers

Strap: Being sold for Rs6-8/quintal as compared to Rs14-16/quintal last year

Bumper crop in Nagpur drags down price

* Tajinder Singh, Deputy Director (Horticulture), said the reason for the low price was bumper crop of Nagpur orange, which dissuaded traders from entering the market in Fazilka

* Despite the low price, more than 65% orchards in Fazilka district are yet to be sold and the crop has already ripened

* Demanding MSP for kinnow, Vijay Setia, a traditional grower, said: “If the government wants to boost diversification, it has to include kinnow to the list of MSP.”

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, January 25

The kinnow-growing farmers are a worried lot as the fruit has attracted almost half the price this year as compared to the previous year in Fazilka district.

“Kinnow King” Prem Babber of Fazilka, a recipient of several state awards for producing quality kinnow, said traders were offering just Rs 6-8 per quintal as compared to Rs 14-16 per quintal last year.

Babber showed concern that in spite of the low price, more than 65 per cent orchards were yet to be sold and the crop had already ripened.

Tajinder Singh, Deputy Director (Horticulture), said the reason for the low price was bumper crop of Nagpur orange, which dissuaded traders from entering the market in Fazilka district.

“Farmers feel that the kinnow mandi in Abohar is proving to be a bane for them as traders and exporters do not go to the orchards and buy the produce from the mandi at cheaper rates,” Babber said.

According to the information gathered by The Tribune, bumper kinnow crop is another reason for low price as the yield of 150-200 quintals of kinnow per acre has been recorded.

As per a report sent by the Horticulture Department to the state government, Covid pandemic is another reason for the dismal disposal of the fruit.

“Kinnow was sold for Rs 10 per kg even a decade ago but surprisingly the price has come down, leaving farmers upset. If the situation remains the same, farmers would not be able to realise the input cost and may have to uproot the orchards,” said Ajay Wadhwa, a horticulturist of Diwan Khbera village who has cultivated kinnow in 48 acres.

“If the government wants to boost diversification, it has to include kinnow to the list of MSP,” said another traditional grower Vijay Setia.

Sources said kinow had been sown in 36,000 hectares in Fazilka district this year.

Horticulturists have been demanding to start Punjab Agro Corporation citrus fruit processing plant set up at Alamghar village near Abohar several years ago. Sources said the factory, which was proving to be a white elephant for the state government, could consume 30 to 40 percent of C and D-grade kinnow produced in this area.