Fluctuating weather hits Kinnow quality

Half of December has passed and after two nights of biting cold, temperature in Sirsa is on the rise again. The warm afternoon sun now gives a sense of summer rather than winter. The shift in weather is affecting rabi crops and kinnow orchards alike. Due to lack of fog, kinnow fruits have lost their natural shine and sweetness, with production estimated to be 40 per cent lower this year.

Kinnow harvesting has begun in orchards across the district’s 15,000 acres. Last year, a single kinnow tree yielded approximately one quintal of fruit, but this season’s yield is expected to drop by 30-40 per cent. Despite the decline in production and quality, the farmers are finding some respite in higher prices. Compared to last year’s rate of Rs 8-12 per kg, kinnow prices have risen sharply to Rs 24-25 per kg, offering little financial relief to the growers.

Pushpendra Singh, District Horticulture Officer, said, “The lack of fog and reduced cold this year have resulted in less sweetness and shine in kinnow. However, if foggy conditions return soon, the quality of kinnow can improve, potentially leading to better prices.”

Meanwhile, fluctuating temperatures have had mixed effects on vegetable crops. Two days ago, the night temperature dropped to 3-4°C, causing frost damage to tomato, chili and eggplant. However, the situation has stabilised, with minimum temperatures now around 7°C and maximum temperatures reaching 23.2°C.

For other vegetables like potatoes, peas, cauliflower, radishes and carrots, the current weather remains favourable and no significant damage has been reported.

The farmers are also exploring opportunities to grow early vine vegetables such as bitter gourd, bottle gourd, watermelon and cucumber using the low-tunnel technology. The method involves covering crops with plastic sheets to protect them from harsh sunlight during the day and fog at night, ensuring better yields and profitability.

The district has 1,100 acres dedicated to vegetable farming and harvesting of some crops is already underway while others are still maturing. The armers are optimistic that the current weather patterns will allow them to reap good profits from their crops.

While kinnow growers await the return of fog to enhance fruit quality, the vegetable farmers are leveraging the changing weather to experiment with innovative techniques for higher yields and better market returns.