Amravati experienced week-long hailstorms, affecting 40,000 hectares of the Nagpur Orange crop out of 75,000 hectares dedicated to its cultivation. This marks the second consecutive year of such damage. The erratic weather, inclusive of strong winds, has caused premature fruit drop.
Typically, the trees commence fruit bearing in January, with harvests occurring around October-November. By May, the fruit sizes are slightly smaller than a lemon, as noted by an agriculture department official. The previous year, incidents of hailstorms and high temperatures also significantly impacted the crop, the official remarked. The agriculture department is currently evaluating the damage to determine compensation eligibility, with government relief provided for losses surpassing 33% of the average yield.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com