By IANS,
Patna : Bihar’s famous Shahi litchis will hit south Indian markets for the first time this month-end.
The state government has decided to send the sweet and juicy summer fruit to the Inter-State Horti Sangam Mela in Bangalore and explore the regional market.
“The government will send Shahi litchis for sale at Sangam Mela in Bangalore from May 28 to 30 to promote the fruit,” an official of the state horticulture department told IANS here.
Officials said they were encouraged by the response of buyers at the Sangam Mela in Delhi last year.
India is the world’s second largest litchi producer. Bihar accounts for more than 74 per cent of the total production in the country. The Shahi litchis are largely grown in the state’s Muzaffarpur and adjoining districts.
Litchi cultivators this year are apprehending that their production could fall by 15 to 20 percent due to an extreme hot weather.
“The only silver lining was that rains lashed Muzaffarpur last week. It will help production,” said litchi farmer Rajkumar Singh.
The last 2-3 years had seen a fall in litchi production due to adverse weather conditions.