Kalimpong gears up for two-day orange festival on December 14, 15

Darjeeling: The West Bengal Horticulture Department is set to host a two-day orange festival in Kalimpong, aiming to promote the hill fruits to make people aware of the benefits of horticulture. The third edition of the festival of 2024 is to be held on December 14 and 15. It is a rare occasion that the upcoming festival will be held outside Darjeeling district. Previously, all the events took place in Darjeeling.

Samuel Rai, the director of the cinchona and other medicinal plants, who is based in Mungpoo, a hamlet around 50 km from here known for its orange plantations, said: “Our directorate, in association with the district administration, will host the festival in Kalimpong. Last week, the state horticulture minister was here, and during his visit, the decision was made.”

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Orange cultivators of the area stated that the size of the oranges grown in Darjeeling is smaller compared to Nagpur. However, the quality of this area is superior to that cultivated in Nagpur. “The hill orange variety is sweeter and juicier. It has a steady demand during winter.

Rai said that the department has been taking all necessary steps to surge orange production. “The purpose of the two-day festival is to inspire farmers to adopt modern techniques for bearing better quality fruit in more quantities and less time. The event will help us to understand their problems,” he said. He further added that the state government has left no stone unturned to raise the orange production in the hilly areas.

Oranges grown in the hills and certain food products that are locally made will be displayed for visitors during the festivals. “Visitors will get a chance to see the orange plantations that are not commonly seen in most parts of the country,” said a source.