(a) the details of work done with regard to plantation, production and quality, etc. of orange and citrus fruits by
National Research Centre for Citrus (N.R.C.C.), Nagpur (Vidarbha Zon
(e) which has been receiving grant from the Union
Government for the last many years;
(b) the reasons for continuous decline in production as well as production area and quality during the last many years;
and
(c) the contribution and responsibility of the above institute in view of the above situation?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTILAL BHURIA)
(a) The National Research Center for Citrus (NRCC), Nagpur established in 1985 under the name of the Central Citrus
Research Station at Nagpur under the Indian Institute of Hortiucultural Research, Bangalore and renamed as at present from
April, 1986 has done excellent work with respect to the production of disease-free quality planting material, which
includes shoot-tip grafting. The quality planting materials were distributed to the government/private nurseries and
individual farmers in the form of elite mother plants for further multiplication. The centre has identified two clones of
Nagpur mandarin, one early maturing and another with less number of seeds in the fruit. The centre has developed
technologies on rejuvenation of old and unproductive trees, integrated nutrient and water management and control of various
diseases and insect pests infesting citrus. The post harvest technologies developed by the centre has well been
appreciated.The centre has also imparted training to extension functionaries and farmers.
(b) National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC) has worked on causes for citrus decline, which is a complex problem.This
problem can appear due to the use of wrong rootstock, improper production technologies and the occurrence of insect pests
and diseases. Decline of many orchards in the Vidarbh region is associated with improper nutrients management, faulty
drainage system and occurrence of insect pests and diseases. The technologies developed by NRC for Citrus, if adopted can
check the problem.
(c) The National Research Centre for Citrus has contributed significantly in the improvement of planting material, which
can be multiplied on a large scale by the extension agencies for increasing the plantation area and production of the fruit.
The centre has also standardized the technologies for crop production, crop protection and post harvest technology of
Nagpur mandarin, acid lime and sweet orange.In transfer of technology, the center has contributed through organizing
various training programmes and kisan melas and publication of extension literature in Marathi, Hindi and English languages.
The Centre has also participated actively in agricultural exhibitions and technology demonstrations.The work of the centre
has been highlighted through press media under Technology Mission on Citrus.