Editor’s Note
This article highlights how specific climatic conditions in Sri Ganganagar have elevated its Kinnow crop to a prized status, cementing the district’s position as a national leader in production.
Cold winds, light morning mist, and a balance between day and night temperatures – these three natural factors have given Ganganagari Kinnow such color, taste, and sweetness this season that it has truly become ‘Orange Gold’. When the district’s major crop was examined under Rajasthan Patrika’s ‘Our Produce, Our Industry’ campaign, it became clear that Sri Ganganagar has become not only Rajasthan’s but the entire country’s largest center for Kinnow production.
Sri Ganganagar’s Kinnow is no longer just a fruit; it is the identity of farmers, the district’s economy, and a strong foundation for exports. The state government has also acknowledged its importance by selecting Ganganagari Kinnow under the ‘Panch Gaurav’ initiative.
The journey of Kinnow in Sri Ganganagar is about 59 years old. This story, which began with plants brought by Kartar Singh Narula in 1962, is now linked to the livelihood of thousands of farmers. Loamy soil, better irrigation facilities, and cold weather make the Kinnow here distinctive.
According to agricultural experts, the weather this season has been completely favorable, leading to an estimated increase in production of about 25 percent. This is why deals for orchards have already started even before the January-February harvest.
A large portion of the Kinnow produced in the district is consumed locally as fresh fruit. The remaining Kinnow is sent across the country after grading, waxing, and packing. There are over two dozen processing units in the RIICO industrial area, where Kinnow is cleaned and waxed before being sent to major fruit markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.
From here, it is exported to Thailand, Malaysia, England, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. In other states and countries, juice, squash, flavored drinks, and other products are being prepared from it.
Progressive farmer Vijay Yadav explains that Kinnow is being purchased from farmers at a rate of 25 to 30 rupees per kilogram. After processing, packing, and transportation, the same Kinnow sells in the retail market for 40 to 50 rupees per kilogram. Experts believe that if juice, squash, marmalade, and dry product-based processing industries are developed in the district, value addition could lead to a manifold increase in farmers’ income.
Total Area: 12,220 hectares
Drip Irrigation Area: 8,818 hectares
Fruit-bearing Area: 10,359 hectares
Estimated Production: 3.50 lakh metric tons
Farmer Price: 25-30 per kg
Retail Market Price: 40-50 per kg
Major Importing Countries: Thailand, Malaysia, England, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal
Preetibala, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department, Sri Ganganagar