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Ramari Oranges: Earlier, where oranges were limited only to local markets, now farmers are getting direct benefits from the influx of outside traders. This has strengthened the livelihood of many families in the village and also increased people’s inclination towards gardening. Seeing the increasing popularity of Ramadi oranges, the Horticulture Department has prepared a plan to spread it across the state.
Bageshwar. You too must have eaten oranges from here at some time or the other. Ramadi village of Kapkot tehsil of Bageshwar district is now gaining recognition not only in the state but across the country for its oranges. The oranges grown here are considered different from the varieties of other regions due to their natural sweetness, rich juice and distinctive aroma. This is the reason why the demand for Ramadi oranges has reached beyond the local markets to Haldwani, Delhi and other big cities. Every year during the season, traders themselves reach the villages and purchase oranges directly from the farmers.
Why do you have to be different?
Bageshwar’s environmentalist Kishan Malda tells Local 18 that the geographical position and climate of Ramadi area is considered very favorable for orange cultivation. The cool climate, fertile soil and pure mountain water here make the taste of oranges special. This is the natural reason why Ramadi oranges are neither too sour nor tasteless, rather they have balanced sweetness and high juice content. Consumers in big markets like Delhi have now started liking these oranges especially, due to which their demand is continuously increasing. This year more than 500 quintals of oranges have been produced in Ramadi area.
a tree does not grow from a seed
According to farmer Ram Koshyari, in the last few years the quality of oranges has improved as well as the production has increased. On the instructions of Dr. RK Singh, Additional Director (ADG) of Horticulture Department, a separate nursery block of Ramadi oranges will be established in Bageshwar district. Under this, a special nursery block of two thousand saplings will be prepared in the Government Nursery Bageshwar, so that high quality saplings can be supplied to the farmers of other areas. Mother block of one thousand Jambir plants will also be developed. It is not possible to reproduce this particular variety of Ramadi orange from seed. Therefore, its high quality seedlings will be prepared only through grafting in Jambir plants. The plants prepared with this technology retain the same taste, sweetness and quality, which is the identity of Ramadi oranges.
Will migration stop?
The Horticulture Department believes that this initiative will give a new boost to horticulture in the hilly areas of the state. This will not only expand the cultivation of Ramadi oranges, but farmers of other districts will also get the opportunity of better income. If this plan is successful then Ramadi Orange can become a unique brand identity of Uttarakhand in future. This will strengthen the economic condition of hill farmers and problems like migration will also stop.
Where are the famous oranges of Bageshwar found
