Punjab: Due to weather challenges and waterlogging problem, Kinnow production is low

Punjab: The citrus fruit kinnow has started arriving in the market but orchardists are worried about a sharp fall in yield. However, they are getting some relief from the remunerative prices being offered. Sushil Periwal, a leading kinnow grower 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 this year as compared to 100 quintals per acre last year. He blames irregular canal water supply for the low yield as canals were reportedly closed during the peak ripening season for reasons known only to the authorities. “Drought in the last few months has increased the problem of kinnow falling when almost ripe, which has led to low yield,” said Kuljit Singh, deputy director and horticulture expert. Inder Sharma, a kinnow commission agent, said the sweetness of the fruit will improve about 15 days after the fog season ends and prices are expected to rise further. Despite low yield, orchardists are benefiting from better prices this year. The average wholesale price is Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg, depending on the quality of the fruit, which was Rs 10 to Rs 12 per kg last year. It is expected that the increased prices will help compensate for the losses caused by low yield. Another challenge for kinnow cultivation in this horticultural hub of the country is the problem of waterlogging, which has forced many orchardists to uproot kinnow plants. It has particularly affected the Khuiyan Sarwar belt of Abohar subdivision of Fazilka district. Sushil Periwal, popularly known as ‘Kinnow King’, said that due to waterlogging, orchardists have uprooted kinnow plants planted in hundreds of acres, especially in villages like Khippan Wali, Daanewala, Pattrewala, Nihal Kheda Chudiwala Dhanna and Jhumiyan Wali. Veer Singh of Khippan Wali village said that his kinnow plants were damaged, due to which he had to uproot the plants planted in 10 acres. In some areas, farmers have turned to traditional paddy cultivation. For example, Simranjit Singh sowed Basmati paddy crop in 16 acres after his kinnow plants died due to waterlogging. Singh also alleged that the government has not provided any assistance to solve the problem of waterlogging, due to which the gardeners are bearing the brunt of the problem.