Punjab's litchi exported FIRST time to hike farmers’ income
Last updated: 14 Nov 2024
HISTORIC FIRST: Punjab's ‘litchi’ sold in London in 2024
A consignment of 10 quintals of litchi was exported through Amritsar’s cargo facility and it fetched 500% of Market Price India[1]
2025: Export orders for 600 quintals of litchi already secured by Punjab[2]
Punjab government acting as a “bridge” between the litchi producers and the exporters for marketing and selling the horticulture produce overseas[1:1]
¶ Litchi Crop in Punjab[1:2]
- In Punjab, mainly 2 varieties of litchi named Dehradun and Calcutta are grown in districts like Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Nawashahr, Hoshiarpur and Ropar, covering nearly 3,900 hectares
- ~2,200 hectares is dedicated to litchi production only in Pathankot belt
- Pathankot is ideal for litchi cultivation due to its sub-mountainous terrain, high humidity and favourable soil conditions
- Around 48 trees are grown on one acre and each tree, according to its age, yields approximately 80-100 kg of litchi
- Normally, the harvesting time of litchi is from June 10 to July 10
¶ Litchi Promotion Schemes[3]
- 50% subsidy is being provided on cardboard boxes for packing litchis
- 50% subsidies are also there on plastic crates
- Replacing sheets of poly house structures that are over 3 years old also receive 50% subsidy
- ₹10,000 per acre will be given to for new gardens using drip system
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