Low kinnow yield amid weather challenges and waterlogging woes

The citrus fruit kinnow has started arriving in the market, but orchardists are concerned about a significant dip in yield. However, they take some consolation from the remunerative prices they are receiving.

Sushil Periwal, a pioneer kinnow cultivator from Fazilka who has won 39 national and state-level awards for producing quality and organic kinnow, shared with The Tribune that the yield has dropped to an average of 50 to 60 quintals per acre, compared to over 100 quintals per acre last year. He attributes the reduced yield to erratic canal water supply, as canals were allegedly closed during the peak ripening season, with the reason known only to the authorities.

Kuljeet Singh, Deputy Director and Horticulturist, explained, “The problem of kinnow dropping increased when the fruit was almost ripe due to the dry spell over the last couple of months, leading to lower yield.”

Kinnow Commission Agent Inder Sharma noted that the sweetness of the fruit would improve in about 15 days after the foggy season ends, and the prices are expected to rise further.

Despite the low yield, orchardists are benefiting from better prices this year. The average wholesale price is Rs 20 to 25 per kg, up from Rs 10 to 12 per kg last year, depending on the quality of the fruit. The higher prices are expected to help offset the losses caused by the reduced yield.

Another challenge for kinnow cultivation in this horticultural hub of the country is the issue of waterlogging, which has forced many orchardists to uproot kinnow plants. This has particularly affected the Khuian Sarvar belt of Abohar subdivision in Fazilka district. Sushil Periwal, known as the “Kinnow King,” reported that waterlogging led orchardists to uproot kinnow plants in hundreds of acres, especially in villages like Khippan Wali, Danewala, Pattrewala, Nihal Khera Churiwala Dhanna, and Jhumian Wali.

Veer Singh of Khippan Wali village shared that his kinnow plants had declined, prompting him to uproot plants in 10 acres of land. In some areas, farmers have turned to traditional paddy cultivation instead. Simranjeet Singh, for example, sowed basmati paddy in 16 acres after his kinnow plants died due to waterlogging.

Singh also alleged that the government has not extended any assistance to resolve the waterlogging issue, leaving the orchardists to bear the brunt of the problem.