Orange growth hit in Arunachal

Itanagar:In the backdrop of widespread decline of orange growth in Arunachal, Bhekuliang and Bedagam in Lohit district equally bore the brunt of its effect.
Out of 200 hectares of orange coverage at these villages, 30-40 hectares are inflicted largely due to nutrient deficiency, Citrus Greening disease and viral infections indicating a signal of citrus declining in these picturesque foothills villages. This pocket is one of the orange bowls of Lohit district.
During his sudden visit to the orange orchard after hectic public administrative affair, Lohit DC Dr B M Mishra expressed disappointment over the adverse effect of orange plants and declared the situation highly alarming, an official release said here on Sunday.
He immediately asked the horticulture’s official intervention to educate and aware the villagers about its remedies to avoid further spread of the diseases.
Simultaneously, the department has decided to organize a result oriented practical training-cum-demonstration programme with all necessary inputs in the farmers’ orange gardens at Bhekuliang on January 20 next to rejuvenate senile and unproductive orange gardens. (UNI)