Litchi

Source: ET

Context: India flagged off its first export consignment of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot (Punjab) to Doha (Qatar), facilitated by APEDA.

About Litchi:

• What it is? Litchi is a juicy, aromatic fruit rich in sugars, vitamins, and minerals. It belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is consumed fresh, canned, or dried.

• Litchi is a juicy, aromatic fruit rich in sugars, vitamins, and minerals. It belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is consumed fresh, canned, or dried.

• Origin: Native to southern China, it reached India through Myanmar and Northeast India in the 18th century.

• Agro-Climatic Conditions for Cultivation:

• Temperature: 21°C–35°C is ideal. Rainfall: Requires 1500–2000 mm annual rainfall, with dry, cool winters for flowering. Soil: Well-drained deep loamy soil with pH 5.5 to 7.

• Temperature: 21°C–35°C is ideal.

• Rainfall: Requires 1500–2000 mm annual rainfall, with dry, cool winters for flowering.

• Soil: Well-drained deep loamy soil with pH 5.5 to 7.

• Top Producing States:

• Bihar – Largest producer (~221.7 thousand MT), known for Shahi and China cultivars. West Bengal – High productivity (~10.5 MT/ha). Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal.

• Bihar – Largest producer (~221.7 thousand MT), known for Shahi and China cultivars.

• West Bengal – High productivity (~10.5 MT/ha). Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal.

• Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal.

• Economic Significance:

• Rich in Vitamin C, B1, Riboflavin, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Used for making squash, wine, pickles, and dried litchi-nut. Valued export commodity with increasing demand in Gulf and Southeast Asian

• Rich in Vitamin C, B1, Riboflavin, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

• Used for making squash, wine, pickles, and dried litchi-nut.

• Valued export commodity with increasing demand in Gulf and Southeast Asian

• About Litchi Consignment:

• Reefer pallets used to preserve freshness. High-value produce sourced from progressive farming models. Promotes farmers’ global market integration under One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Punjab’s output: 71,490 MT and contributes 12.39% of India’s total litchi production.

• Reefer pallets used to preserve freshness.

• High-value produce sourced from progressive farming models.

• Promotes farmers’ global market integration under One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.

• Punjab’s output: 71,490 MT and contributes 12.39% of India’s total litchi production.