Bumper orange crop in Vidarbha region makes farmers happy

NAGPUR - Farmers and wholesalers in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region of India’s Maharashtra state are delighted to receive bumper orange crops this year.

Farmers have been receiving fewer crops in the last few years due to less rainfall, unfavourable weather conditions and crops diseases.

But this year the yield has increased due to ample rainfall and good weather conditions.This year we received timely and adequate rainfall because of which we had good crops and an excellent output. Compared to last year, this year the crops have doubled, in fact the output is more than double, not any less,” said Anand Jengre, an orange wholeseller.

Although the wholesalers and farmers, both are happy with the adequate orange production, but farmers are a bit unhappy as they are reaping less profits due to bumper production.

The oranges are priced at 8 to 12 rupees per kilogram, a ten-year low.

“This year Mrug Bahar oranges are flooding the market. Their present rate is somewhere between 7000-12000 rupees but it is not enough for farmers. We want the rates to be somewhere between 20,000-25,000 rupees for a tonne.” said Ravi Pawar, a farmer.

The orange is cultivated in 80000 hectares area in Vidarbha with a total production of nearly five lakh tons. (ANI)