Status, constraints and opportunity in litchi production in India Singh S. S.1, Dwivedi S. K.* G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhakrani-248142, Dehradun (Uttarakhand) *Field Research Laboratory (DRDO), Leh, Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) 1E-mail: sssindia02@gmail.com
Online published on 5 April, 2012. Abstract The litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is one of the commercially important fruit crop of Uttarakhand occupies 8750 ha area and 15140 MT production. In the last one decade, its area, production and average productivity have increased slightly in the state but still the productivity is 1.73 MT/ha which is very low as compare to leading litchi growing state like Bihar. The studies conducted in various parts of Uttarakhand under the Horticulture Technology Mission Project revealed that high sensitivity of litchi crop to environmental conditions, limited varietal wealth, long gestation period, low and irregular bearing, skin cracking, fruit dropping, incidence of pests during the reproductive phase, poor shelf life and post harvest diseases are the major constraints in litchi production. Despite of these limitations, litchi crop is gaining momentum among farming community because of the conducive agroclimatic conditions, assured irrigation facilities and remunerative return due to growing demand in the local and domestic markets. With a view to promote litchi production and its export from the state, Ministry of Commerce, APEDA, Govt. of India has declared specified areas of Uttarakhand namely Dehradun, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar as “Litchi Export Zone”. Besides, Introduction of Horticulture Technology Mission in the state and commitment of State Govt. to commercialize and advance litchi cultivation indicate its promising future in the state. Top |