Rajasthan to produce its own orange brand 'Raj santhara'Twenty four varieties of citrus fruits developed at Kota Citrus Fruit Centre
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The Centre has largely achieved its objective of producing disease free and high-quality planting material. The centre also aims in promoting mechanisation in orchard operations. DH photo
As many as 24 varieties of citrus fruits are being developed at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Citrus Fruits at Nanta near Kota in Rajasthan. The project, that kicked off in 2014-15, is fast making waves as the state of the art centre for plant development and orchard management of citrus fruits.
Kota division is contributing 98% of the State produce in terms of ‘Nagpur Orange’. While majority of oranges produced here are Nagpur – there is a scope of introduction of new varieties of oranges like Jaffa, Valencia and Daisy.
With Kota division being strong in orange production (Jhalawar district being the largest in the State for the produce), there is immense potential for packaging and branding operations of the locally sourced fruit as well. The Agriculture and Horticulture Department is mulling of marketing the produce as ‘Raj Santara’.
Spread over 6.8 hectares, the primary objective of the centre is to develop citrus fruit saplings. The Principal Secretary Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Rajasthan, Neelkamal Darbari said, "Among the 24 varieties developed are Clementine, Michale Daisy, Kinnow, Nagpur Mandarin, Nagpur Seedless, Jaffa among others. The plant development and orchard management for developing these fruits are based on Israeli technology like mulch, drip and ridge bed system
for irrigation.
Within a short span of time, the Centre is grafting 50,000 plants annually. The Centre has largely achieved its objective of producing disease free and high-quality planting material. The centre also aims in promoting mechanisation in orchard operations.
The development of intensive horticulture technologies, spreading awareness about post- harvest and value addition technologies, fertigation and irrigation management techniques are its long-term goals.
Kota division is contributing 98% of the State produce in terms of ‘Nagpur Orange’. While majority of oranges produced here are Nagpur – there is a scope of introduction of new varieties of oranges like Jaffa, Valencia and Daisy.
With Kota division being strong in orange production (Jhalawar district being the largest in the State for the produce), there is immense potential for packaging and branding operations of the locally sourced fruit as well. The Agriculture and Horticulture Department is mulling of marketing the produce as ‘Raj Santara’.
Spread over 6.8 hectares, the primary objective of the centre is to develop citrus fruit saplings. The Principal Secretary Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Rajasthan, Neelkamal Darbari said, "Among the 24 varieties developed are Clementine, Michale Daisy, Kinnow, Nagpur Mandarin, Nagpur Seedless, Jaffa among others. The plant development and orchard management for developing these fruits are based on Israeli technology like mulch, drip and ridge bed system
for irrigation.
Within a short span of time, the Centre is grafting 50,000 plants annually. The Centre has largely achieved its objective of producing disease free and high-quality planting material. The centre also aims in promoting mechanisation in orchard operations.
The development of intensive horticulture technologies, spreading awareness about post- harvest and value addition technologies, fertigation and irrigation management techniques are its long-term goals.