Connect with:
Wednesday / February 5. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "Darjeeling"
Agribusiness, Horticulture

The Darjeeling orange, once a priceless gem, is currently experiencing a painful crisis. Due to a sharp decline in production, traders in Siliguri, the epicenter of the fruit trade, are facing enormous losses

Known for its alluring perfume and flavor, this aromatic gem of North Bengal is currently fighting for its life. The future of this renowned fruit is in jeopardy as output has fallen to just 20 per cent.

Every year from November to January, North Bengal’s orange trade brought in crores of rupees. In order to stock as much of the seasonal fruit as possible, traders from all over the nation used to congregate at the Regulated market, the largest wholesale market in the Northeast, which is located in Siliguri, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. In the meantime, during the past few years, things have changed. Orange production has decreased in Kalimpong, Kurseong, and Darjeeling. Orange production has decreased to 20 per cent, according to Siliguri dealers. They asserted that the government’s lack of collaboration and maintenance has caused a decline in orange production.

At the controlled market, Adam Singh Giri, a farmer from Soreng, Darjeeling, stated: “The government is not providing them with any support. Due to the lack of organic fertilizers, the farmers were unable to maintain the orange trees on their own, with the assistance of a few members of the Farmers Club. Additionally, they asked the government to investigate, saying that if they don’t, the fruits will have disappeared.

“The orange market is almost finished,” stated Binod Rastogi, an orange vendor from a Siliguri market that is regulated. They used to receive an enormous amount of oranges between November and January. Currently, however, only 20% comes from the hills. It is a result of both inadequate tree care and global warming.

The Darjeeling orange, once a priceless gem,

AgroPolicy, Animal Health, Dairy, India, Live Stock

Around 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and 2000 in Kalimpong were infected out of which 200 and 1200 respectively have already recovered

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, AH and Dairying acts promptly to address concerns of livestock farmers of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, as suspected cases of LSD (Lumpy Skin Disease), a devastating disease of Cattle and Buffaloes are reported.

Parshottam Rupala Union Cabinet Minister for the FAHD directed for prompt action on the letter of the Member of Parliament from Darjeeling Raju Bista about his concerns on the reports of rising cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI responded swiftly and has taken all necessary steps for providing technical and financial support in close coordination with State and district officials of AHD.

As per the verifications from the field, there are no deaths of cattle due to LSD in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Around 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and 2000 in Kalimpong were infected out of which 200 and 1200 respectively have already recovered. Treatment of other infected cattle is underway including ring vaccination of cattle in affected areas to check the spread of the disease. There are no reports of LSD in sheep/goats in both the districts and the infection is reported mainly in unvaccinated cattle. However, the situation is under control.

The Department has been implementing various measures for the control of the disease which are under Surveillance, The Department has already formulated the surveillance strategy through Exit Plan and circulated it to all the states. Diagnostic facilities are readily available in the region and Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL), Kolkatta has been authorised and financially supported for surveillance of cattle through PCR testing of LSD and the same was communicated to the state.

Around 400 unvaccinated cattle in Darjeeling and

AgroPolicy, Logistics, Supply Chain, Trade

The Darjeeling tea sector has witnessed a fall of around 50 per cent in the last decade from 13 mkgs to 6.5 mkgs

The Indian Tea Association (ITA) held its 138th Annual General Meeting under the chairmanship of Vivek Goenka. Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister, Assam graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present were Sunil Barthwal, IAS Secretary to the Govt of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and Dr KN Raghavan, Deputy Chairman, Tea Board of India.

Goenka said, “Indian tea prices after remaining stagnant for almost a decade showed some promise in 2020 due to shortfall in production. However, in 2021 average prices have declined by 6 per cent. A majority of teas are selling below Rs 200 per kg which is below the cost of production of the organised sector. Interventions like generic promotion, incentivising orthodox production, Auction reforms and value addition are critical for boosting domestic demand and exports.”

Goenka added, “Mitigation of the high cost of production through the takeover of social welfare amenities through government schemes as envisaged in the occupational safety, health and working conditions code, 2020 is a necessity for the future.”

Input costs have increased at a CAGR of 9 per cent to 12 per cent outpacing the growth in prices. The Darjeeling tea sector has witnessed a fall of around 50 per cent in the last decade from 13 mkgs to 6.5 mkgs. The Darjeeling tea sector which is experiencing lower crops and lower prices over the years needs special attention. 

The Darjeeling tea sector has witnessed a