Punjab growers are quite happy to see a good yield this season. However, they are confronted with low prices this year, at Rs 6 to 10 per kg, as compared to Rs 20 to 25 per kg last year. The southern states in the country are the biggest market for Punjab’s kinnows and the region plays a vital role in deciding the pricing. Unfortunately, farmers say they have not been able to recover their input cost, demanding from the government to fix a minimum price for the fruit crop.
A total area of 47,000 hectares was brought under the kinnow crop this season. Abohar is the leading district in the state with a maximum area of 35,000 hectares harvesting the fruit crop, besides Hoshiarpur, Muktsar, Bathinda and some other districts.
A grower, who cultivates the fruit on 36 ha in Ramgarh village, Abohar district, said that this season farmers are getting between Rs 6 to 8 per kg as against about Rs 25 per kg they got last year at this time. He further pointed out that though farmers are getting low prices, the kinnow crop is being sold at Rs 40 per kg in the retail market.
[ Rs 100 = €1.10 ]
Source: newindianexpress.com