Refrigerated air cargo complex needed for lichi export from Bihar

Patna, Jun 11 (UNI) In the wake of bumper production this season, the Bihar Lichi Producers' Federation has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to set up a fully air-conditioned cargo complex in Patna Airport soon to ensure higher export of the seasonal fruit.

Claiming that lack of proper storage facilities of consumable items like lichi anywhere in the state was the main stumbling block for higher exports, a Federation delegation recently met Union Minister of State for Agriculture Akhilesh Prasad Singh in New Delhi and sought for more government facilities as well as accessibility to funds for increased production of different varieties of Lichi in the state.

Claminig that Muzaffarpur and East Champaran were the two most famous and best quality Lichi producing districts in North Bihar bordering Nepal, the Federation spokesman here today said in spite of repeated hailstorms and other factors a record production of more than 1,000 tonnes of lichis were producred in these two districts this season, setting some sort of a record in recent times.

After meeting the demand of the entire country, amounting to more than 100 tonnes, a huge quantity of the remaining produce were either left to rot or remained unsued in absence of any proper facility for their proper preservation, the sources said, adding that last year despite huge scope only about 50 tonnes of lichis could be exported.

Reiterating the Federation's demand for immediately creating proper storage facilities for higher exports of consumeble goods, the Federation spokesman underscored the need for purchasing large number of refrigerated vans for transportation of these products, apart from the fully air-conditioned cargo comples at Patna airport.

More than 10,000 hectares in these two districts had so far been brought under the lichi producing areas in Bihar and made it clear that in the event of having modern storage facilities more orchards would be created in North Bihar to increasse the level of production.

About the possibility of export of the special Bedana, Shahi and China varieties of lichi from Muzaffarpur and East Champaran districts, the spokesman said last year about Rs 20 crores had gone to the national exchequer from export and this year it was expected to cross the Rs 45 crores mark despite several shortcomings.

UNI