Efforts on to revive Da rj orange cultivation despite challenges

Minister Arup ROV held a meeting at Uttarkanva With representatives from traders' associations, industrialists, entrepreneurs, tea producers, and otnerstakenolders, including banksand civic bodies, from tne districts of nortnern Nortn Bengal

- MANAS R BANNERJEE

The once-renowned Darjeeling orange has lost much of its glory due to severe viral and bacterial infections, prompting the minister in charge of the department of Food Processing Industries and horticulture (FPI&H) to call for immediate action to address the critical situation in the Hill region.

Minister Arup Roy held a meeting today at Uttarkanya with representatives from traders' associations, industrialists, entrepreneurs, tea producers, and other stakeholders, including banks and civic bodies, from the districts of northern North Bengal.

Speaking to the Press, Mr Roy said the primary objective of the workshop and interactive sessions was to focus on setting up processing units for key crops such as pineapple, orange, and maize in north Bengal.

During the session, several industry representatives highlighted the alarming state of production for these crops and offered recommendations for reviving their quality and output.