Punjab's famed 'sand pears' lost in oblivion

Amritsar, Sep 7 (UNI) Punjab foodgrains are well known, but an exotic fruit remains in the shadows of oblivion.

The state produces a special variety of pears, of which one of them is the hard pear. This variety is also called 'Pathar Nakh' and is unique to border districts of Amritsar and parts of Gurdaspur.

'Pathar nakh' as the name suggests, is a harder version while 'bagugosha' or the soft pear grown in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

But the 'pathar nakh' has its own advantages as it remains fresh and does not easily decay.

Horticulturists gave the English name 'sand pear' to this variety of pear because of the tiny spots resembling grains of sand on its skin. Unfortunately, the state government has not done much to encourage farmers to cultivate the fruit.

Punjab accounts for only ten per cent of the total consumption.

However, the sand pears are more popular in far off states in South India and West Bengal.

According to statistics with the horticulture office here, about 5000 hectares of land is presently under sand pear cultivation in Punjab. The average yearly production is about one lakh tonnes.

The main areas of cultivation are Amritsar district, parts of Pathankot and Ferozepur and also Jalandhar and Ludhiana. The cultvation of 'pather nakh' started in Amritsar city in the mid-50's and gradually spread to other parts of this border district.

The origin of the variety is still unknown.

In Amritsar district alone , about 3,403 hectares of land is under 'pather nakh' cultivation and the annual seasonal yield is a little over 50,000 tonnes. The cultivation of this variety of pear is largely confined to areas around Amritsar city and in the sub divisional town of Patti.

Along NH 1, Batala road and Patti, 'pathar nakh' orchards can be seen. The three metre high pear tree is estimated to have a fruit bearing life of about a hundred years and harvesting season is between July and August.

Horticulturists maintain that porous and loamy soil is ideal for growing this fruit. Also, the sand pears do not require low temperture like the soft pears which are grown in the higher reaches of the neighbouring states.

The winter temperature is favourable and during summer, strong winds help maintain good tempertature balance.

On an average, a farmer earns about Rs 30,000 an acre from the fruit. Of late, a number of sand pear orchids along NH 1 are being put to the axe, as land is being sold to colonisers at very high prices.

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