http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kinnow-glut-crash-in-prices-forces-farmers-to-go-for-new-varieties/913133/0
Kinnow glut: Crash in prices forces farmers to go for new varieties
Raakhi Jagga : Abohar, Fri Feb 17 2012, 03:06 hrs
A crash in kinnow prices following a bumper crop of citrus fruits across the country, has forced farmers to experiment with new varieties of the fruit. Leading the way are Punjabs orchard farmers, who are all set to try a new version of the kinnow - the daisy tangerine.
While the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is still carrying out research on the new kinnow variety, many progressive farmers in the state are all set to plant the daisy tangerine from this year onwards. According to preliminary reports, the daisy tangerine, which could hit the markets by October this year, is much sweeter than the regular kinnow variety with less seeds and a thinner skin.
This variety has been brought from California and it starts producing fruits from the 4th year onwards. I am hopeful that PAU will be able to release this variety by next year. This will solve the problem of farmers regarding low rates in case of a glut-like situation, said the states Horticulture director, Lajwinder Singh Brar.
Officials, however, are warning farmers against planting the new variety before PAU give its nod. They must be conducting the trials on a small piece of land only but farmers themselves will be responsible for the results, said the nodal officer, Citrus for Punjab, Dr Gunkanwal Singh.
Orchard farmers were severely affected this year after kinnow prices did not rise above Rs 9 a kg while last year the fruit sold for as much as Rs 25 a kg. Officials blamed a bumper crop of kinnow in Punjab, orange in Maharashtra and sweet lime in other states for the decline in prices.
Balwinder Singh Tikka, a farmer in Abul Khurana village of Malaut Tehsil said: I have made a few plants ready which will be planted in about 5-7 acres of land on a trial basis. After looking at the kinnow glut, many farmers are now thinking of diversifying in fruits varieties. I have even made the root stock- Carizo for this variety ready. In Pakistan citrus fruit is available even in June. The weather conditions are the same, so our experts need to show us the ways for more varieties.
