Abohar: Kinnow was introduced to India in 1954 at the Punjab Agricultural University’s Regional Fruit Research Station in Abohar. The fruit turned out to be a boon for the farmers in Punjab and Rajasthan. Kinnow is famous for its vibrant look and high juice content, using it for both domestic consumption and exports. The important thing with this fruit is that it can survive in all weathers.
Kinnow flourishes in arid regions like Rajasthan, where other crops fail to fully grow. Farmers have been producing up to 85.94 kg per tree, making it a highly profitable fruit. Meanwhile, in Rajasthan, per-hectare production of kinnow is 23.39 tonnes, surpassing other horticultural crops like pomegranate and bael.
Drip irrigation plays a key role in the high yield of kinnow; during summer, when plants mature, they need at least 140 liters per day. Water management is essential for the maintenance of crop health and better productivity in case of a shortage of water.
Post-harvest handling is necessary for the fruit owing to its perishable nature. Kinnow can survive up to 5-7 days at room temperature in the months of December and January. However, it can remain fresh up to 20 days after waxing and wrapping. When stored at 4-5°C with 85-90% relative humidity, the shelf life extends to two months, allowing farmers to market their produce beyond the harvesting season and fetch better prices during off-peak periods.
Kinnow has been proving to be a boon for the arid regions horticulture farmers, providing handsome income and enhancing economic opportunities as well.
