Bihar's litchi growers might access broader markets due to advances in packaging technology that extend the fruit's shelf life. Litchis, generally having a perishable nature with a five-day shelf life, face distribution hurdles, especially from Bihar, India's largest litchi-producing state, to southern regions. However, Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) extends the lifespan by at least 15 days, potentially up to 30 days.
This advancement gained recognition following India's successful shipment of litchis from Pathankot to Qatar utilizing MAP, allowing Qatari consumers to purchase fresh Indian litchis, demonstrating the technology's capabilities.
"Litchi farmers from Bihar couldn't even send their fruits to South India," noted Dr. Sudhansu, Secretary of the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). "Now, this MAP technology, developed by our scientists at the UFlex lab in Noida, is set to revolutionise the industry."
Leveraging this success, India is crafting a 'Sea Protocol' to enhance exports via cost-effective sea shipments. The Sea Protocol encompasses harvesting timelines, maturity criteria, temperature control during shipping, and ripening guidelines at destinations to maintain fruit quality. "We are collaborating with Madagascar, a leading global exporter of litchis, to develop the Sea Protocol," said Dr. Sudhansu.
Bihar contributes nearly 40% of India's litchi output. India, second in global production after China, ranks alongside Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Madagascar, and the United States in litchi production.
Political interests have also been piqued by these advancements. During a recent Yatra, Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted concerns over the fruit's short lifespan, encouraging ICAR scientists to explore preservation solutions.
Source: New Indian Express
