5,000 Hectares of Orange Trees Axed in Nagpur Region
Farmers in Nagpur's mandarin belt are uprooting orange trees due to severe water shortages and rising maintenance costs.
Around 5,000 hectares of orange orchards have been cleared in the Nagpur region.
Farmers are shifting to less water-intensive crops amid economic pressures.
Water scarcity and high temperatures are significantly impacting orange production.
In a concerning trend for agriculture in the Nagpur region, approximately 5,000 hectares of orange trees have been removed as farmers face increasing challenges related to water scarcity and economic viability. The Nagpur mandarin belt, which spans Chandur Bazar and surrounding areas, encompasses around 35,000 hectares dedicated to orange cultivation, known for its distinctive small and tangy oranges.
The ongoing drought and high temperatures have created critical water stress, particularly during the flowering and fruit development stages. Farmers report that prolonged dry spells have weakened the trees, leading to increased fruit drop and reduced overall productivity. Sopan Mohod, a farmer from Madhan, highlighted the lack of moisture in the soil as a significant factor contributing to these issues, stating that the rising temperatures are also exacerbating disease incidence in orange trees.
Pushpak Khapre, an orange grower and member of the Amravati district fruit crop insurance committee, noted that many farmers are opting to remove their orange trees due to the unsustainable economics of maintaining orchards. He explained that the profitability of orange cultivation has diminished, prompting a shift towards alternative crops that require less water. The challenges faced by growers are compounded by years of fluctuating market prices, rising input costs, and adverse weather conditions.
The uncertainty surrounding irrigation planning has further complicated matters, as farmers struggle with unreliable power supply for water pumps. Shekhar Vighe, a farmer from Dapori in Morshi taluka, expressed concerns that the upcoming season could also be adversely affected due to insufficient rainfall. Additionally, growers are facing delays in crop insurance assessments and compensation, adding to their financial distress. Khapre has called for comprehensive insurance coverage that includes damages caused by wildlife, as water scarcity in forests could lead to increased human-wildlife conflicts.
The situation for orange growers in the Nagpur mandarin belt raises critical questions about the future of orange cultivation in the region. As water resources dwindle and the costs of maintaining orchards rise, farmers are left to ponder the sustainability of their orange trees and the viability of their livelihoods moving forward.
