Government okays research centre for litchis in Bihar

Vikant Sahay

Patna, May 16: THE Union government has approved the setting up of a national research centre for litchis and makhana (a dry fruit made from lotus plant) in Bihar. The proposed centre will have facilities to conduct research to improve the quality of litchis and to increase its life span.

The litchis grown in the state are in great demand in the European market. Speaking to The Financial Express, Union agriculture minister Nitish Kumar said: "All the formalities are completed. The only hurdle is to obtain 200 acres of land from the state government. We are waiting for the state government to allot the land near Muzaffarpur and we will start the project within 24 hours after obtaining the land".

In Bihar, the Centre has identified at least 25-50 acres in each of the districts for agricultural growth. "Only the help of the state government is required," Mr Kumar said.

The minister clarified that Dehradun in Uttranchal also produces litchi but Bihar is the largest producer. He added that the agriculture ministry has assigned a joint secretary to follow up the land issue with the Bihar government.

Regarding cargo plane services from Patna for the export of Muzaffarpur litchis, the minister said the proposal was cleared two years ago and it is now with the civil aviation ministry to build the cargo facilities. The horticulture department of Bihar has estimated a yield of at least 25 to 30 thousand tonne of the "China" (Shahi) variety of litchi this year. "About 40 per cent of the fruit is exported to European countries every year from Bihar," said department director Mr Upendranath Choubey.

Mr Kumar, who holds additional charge of the railways said the Sonepur division has been asked to ensure stoppage of trains for 10-15 minutes so that litchi growers can load their products for transporting to other stations.

Apart from this, the minister said the research centre is also willing to set up two food parks in Bihar with an investment of Rs 4 crore each. Along with this, the Centre has also identified eight districts in Bihar where integrated dairy development project could be set up.

"We have all such plans ready for this state, but we need at least a proposal from the state government and acquisition of land for the execution of projects, without which we are helpless", he said.