Madhya Pradesh to export oranges to Europe

Bhopal, Nov 6 (UNI) In a bid to increase its share in the total agricultural exports, Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to export its oranges to the European markets and has created an agri-export zone in Betul district for the purpose.

Under this, an area of 1,000 hectare was identified for orange cultivation against a target of 1,150 hectare even as 372 hectare belonging to 650 farmers was cultivated.

The government expects a production of 7,440 metric tonnes of orange in the current fiscal.

About 50,000 orange plants were converted to high-breed plants last year in order to make high quality-plants available to farmers, whereas one lakh plants of Kino and Nagpur variety was being prepared in the current year, an official statement said.

Last year, orange cultivation was undertaken on about 4,000 hectare in Betul and 5,068 metric tonnes production was obtained from 2,530 hectare.

More than 1,200 farmers had earned income of Rs 50 lakh, the statement added.

The government was also considering a proposal to set up green house and cold storage costing five lakh rupees in Betul market for aiding production of horticulture produce and its storage.

Two model nurseries were being established to provide certified and quality plants to the peasants.

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