Kalimpong to Host Third Edition of the Orange Festival in December to Boost Local Horticulture

KalimNews, Kalimpong, November 29, 2024: In a bid to promote the region’s prized hill oranges, Kalimpong will host the third edition of the annual Orange Festival on December 14-15. This year marks a historic shift as the festival, traditionally held in Darjeeling district, moves to Kalimpong for the first time. The event, organized by the state horticulture department, aims to showcase the unique fruit and its cultivation while supporting the local economy and boosting tourism.

Dr. Samuel Rai, Director of the Cinchona and Other Medicinal Plants Directorate, based in Mungpoo, a village renowned for its orange plantations, confirmed the festival’s new location. "In association with the district administration, we will be hosting the festival in Kalimpong. Last week, the state horticulture minister visited us in Mungpoo, and the decision was finalized," Rai said.

State Horticulture Minister Arup Roy, who was in Mungpoo for the planning, had said that the two-day festival will bring attention to the significant but declining orange production in the Darjeeling hills. 

"The festival will not only celebrate the fruit but also educate and motivate farmers to adopt better cultivation techniques," added Dr. Rai. The festival's ultimate goal is to inspire cultivators to improve both the quality and quantity of their produce while reducing cultivation time. "Our goal is to inspire cultivators, introduce them to new cultivation techniques, and ultimately help them grow better quality fruit in larger quantities and in less time. The festival will also allow us to better understand the challenges they face," he explained. Currently, around 1,200 acres of land in the Darjeeling hills are dedicated to orange cultivation. Rai emphasized that the festival is designed not only to celebrate the fruit but also to educate and motivate local farmers. 

Apart from showcasing the signature oranges, the festival will feature locally made food products, and visitors will have the unique opportunity to tour orange plantations—a rare experience, as citrus farming is not widespread across India. This initiative is hoped to revive interest in orange cultivation, attract new investments, and support local growers who are facing challenges from diseases and declining production.

The Orange Festival promises to be an exciting and informative event, offering tourists a chance to experience the beauty of the hills and the rich agricultural heritage of the region while also contributing to the revival of local horticulture.

The festival’s timing comes as a crucial moment for the region, with recent figures showing that orange production has been in steady decline. Last year, only 39 metric tonnes of oranges were harvested in North Bengal, down from around 52 metric tonnes in previous years. This decrease has been attributed to viral and bacterial infections that have severely affected crops. Despite a reduction in disease this year, production levels remain lower than expected, and the market has been flooded with imports from Bhutan, Nepal, and other Indian states.

Oranges are cultivated across 4,150 hectares in the Darjeeling hills, with 2,500 hectares in Darjeeling, 1,500 hectares in Kalimpong, and smaller plots in areas such as Totopara and Buxa hills. 

Once a flourishing industry, the Darjeeling orange’s reputation has suffered due to pest infestations and disease. In response, efforts are underway to restore the region’s orange orchards, spearheaded by Dr. Rai, who is collaborating with international experts to tackle these challenges.

Minister Arup Roy, during a recent workshop, called for the establishment of processing units for key crops such as oranges, pineapple, and maize, aiming to boost the horticulture industry in North Bengal. Dr. Rai also announced plans for a comprehensive survey of orange cultivation in the region, which will provide detailed data for future revival efforts.

The upcoming festival is seen as a pivotal event for the region, blending the celebration of local agriculture with the pressing need for sustainable growth. By showcasing the heritage and future of Darjeeling’s oranges, the Orange Festival aims to revitalize the local economy and foster a new wave of interest in the region’s unique agricultural heritage.