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  • 03 Jan 2024
  • 3 min read
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Expansion of Litchi Cultivation Across India

Why in News?

The cultivation of Litchi, traditionally restricted to Muzaffarpur Bihar, has witnessed a significant expansion across 19 Indian states, highlighting the Horticulture boost in India.

  • This development stems from the efforts of the National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL) based in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

What are the Key Facts about Litchi?

  • Botanical Classification: Litchi belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is known for its delicious, juicy, translucent aril or edible flesh.
  • Climatic Requirements: Litchi thrives in sub-tropical climates and prefers moist conditions. It grows best in regions with low elevation, up to an altitude of around 800 meters. 
  • Soil Preference: The ideal soil for litchi cultivation is deep, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter.
  • Temperature Sensitivity: Litchi is sensitive to extreme temperatures. It does not tolerate temperatures above 40.5 degrees Celsius in summer or freezing temperatures in winter.
  • Rainfall Impact: Prolonged rain, especially during flowering, can interfere with pollination and affect the crop adversely.
  • Geographical Cultivation: In India, the commercial cultivation was traditionally restricted to the north in the foot hills of Himalayas from Tripura to Jammu & Kashmir and plains of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
    • But due to increased demand and viability, cultivation has expanded to states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
    • Bihar alone accounts for nearly 40% of India’s litchi production. Bihar is followed by West Bengal (12%) and Jharkhand (10%).
  • Global Production: India ranks as the second largest producer of litchi globally, following China. Other significant litchi-producing countries include Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Madagascar, and the United States.

Horticulture

  • About:
    • Horticulture refers to the science, art, and practice of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, and other crops.
    • It encompasses a broad spectrum of activities related to plant cultivation, management, propagation, and improvement for human use and enjoyment.
  • Initiatives for Horticulture:
    • Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):
      • MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables and other areas.
      • Under MIDH, Government of India contributes 60% of the total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states (except North Eastern and Himalayan states where GOI contributes 90%) & 40% is contributed by State governments.
    • Horticulture Cluster Development Programme:
      • It is a central sector programme aimed at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive.
      • Horticulture cluster is a regional/geographical concentration of targeted horticulture crops.

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