The luscious and sweet litchi fruit, which was once exclusive to Muzaffarpur in Bihar, has now spread its roots across 19 states in India, according to information from an official.
To elaborate on this development, Bikash Das, the director of the National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL) based in Muzaffarpur, shared, “It might sound ambitious, but it’s a reality. Litchi cultivation for commercial purposes is actively taking place in 19 states. Our primary goal is to support farmers by providing technical assistance, supplying plants, and offering training sessions, all aimed at promoting litchi cultivation throughout India.”
Das emphasized the significant shift by stating that farmers in various states are now taking the initiative to grow litchi for commercial purposes, a trend that was not prevalent a few years ago. He explained, “NRCL scientists are actively engaging with farmers, instilling confidence, and encouraging them to pursue litchi cultivation. This approach is contributing to the widespread adoption of litchi cultivation across the country.”
Litchi farming for business purposes has kicked off in various states such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Manipur, Assam, Punjab, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Mizoram. The most recent official data indicates that over 0.1 million hectares of land are now dedicated to litchi cultivation across India.
The National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL) is actively involved in the process, producing thousands of litchi saplings annually in its nursery. These saplings are then distributed to farmers in different states. The NRCL supplies not only the renowned Shahi litchi but also popular varieties like China, Gandki Lalima, Gandki Sampada, and Gandki Yogita to farmers outside its home state.
Bikash Das, the director of NRCL, explained that the expansion plan for litchi cultivation is based on a scientific study that identified suitable soil and climate conditions for growing the fruit in other states. He stated, “We are following a well-researched approach to ensure that litchi cultivation can thrive in diverse regions, considering the specific requirements of soil and climate.”
According to scientists from NRCL, litchi is a delicate fruit, and its well-being depends heavily on factors like temperature, rainfall, humidity, and suitable soil conditions. Recent years have seen challenges for litchi crops due to temperature fluctuations and unfavorable weather conditions. These conditions can lead to issues such as cracked fruit, reduced size, and diminished sweetness and juiciness.
While litchi cultivation has broadened its reach, the shift towards large-scale commercial production will not happen overnight, as Bikash Das pointed out. He explained, “Even though litchi farming has expanded, it will take some time for it to transition into full-scale commercial production. The saplings planted in orchards require a few years before they start bearing fruit.”
Litchi, a fruit mainly found in the foothills of the Himalayas, thrives in regions like Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. Bihar, with over 32,000 hectares dedicated to litchi cultivation, leads the way, contributing almost 40% to India’s total litchi production. Following Bihar, West Bengal accounts for 12%, and Jharkhand contributes 10%.
While litchi was traditionally grown in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam, it wasn’t for commercial purposes. NRCL scientists took the initiative to introduce litchi cultivation on a small scale in certain areas of Karnataka and Kerala some years ago, although it didn’t see widespread adoption. Notably, litchi harvesting in Karnataka occurs during winter, in contrast to the summer harvest in northern India.
