Nagpur, a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, holds a unique title that sets it apart from the rest – it’s known as the “Orange City.” But don’t be misled by the name; it’s not because the buildings here are painted in shades of orange. This moniker stems from the deep-rooted connection Nagpur has with oranges.
Nagpur And Oranges: An Unbreakable Bond
India’s diverse landscape is home to a multitude of cuisines, cultures, and farming practices that suit various regions based on their climate. Just as Shimla is celebrated for its apples, Mahabaleshwar for its strawberries, and Goa for cashew nuts, Nagpur is renowned for its oranges. The Nagpur district boasts vast orange farms and plantations, making it one of India’s foremost orange cultivators.
While the majority of orange farming happens in the surrounding Vidharba region, where approximately 80,000 hectares of land are dedicated to this endeavor, Nagpur itself serves as a commercial hub. Roughly 20,965 hectares of land in Nagpur are used for orange production, yielding a staggering 5 lakh tonnes of oranges every year.
The region’s hot climate and unique soil composition make it an ideal place for growing oranges. The climate is a key factor that dictates what crops thrive in an area, and Nagpur’s weather is perfectly suited to orange cultivation.
History Of Oranges In Nagpur
Delving into the picturesque orange farms, adorned with lush orange trees, one can’t help but be intrigued by the history of orange farming in Nagpur. The story began when Late Shri Raghujiraje Bhonsle successfully introduced Nagpur oranges as a kitchen garden crop in 1896. Since then, orange production in Nagpur has been on a consistent rise, transforming into one of the most lucrative crops in the region, after mangoes and bananas. Today, Nagpur oranges have become a significant player in India’s horticultural landscape.
What’s So Unique About Nagpur Oranges?
Nagpur oranges, a variety of oranges cultivated in Nagpur, are famed not just in India but also internationally, and there’s a good reason for that. These oranges distinguish themselves with their sweet, juicy pulp, distinct flavor, and captivating aroma. The primary variety grown in Nagpur is the mandarin orange, often known simply as mandarin. This variety’s popularity stems from its delightful sweet-sour taste and easy-to-peel skin.
Some of the finest mandarins, including the Nagpur Santra, are grown in the Maharashtra districts of Nagpur, Amravati, and Wardha, particularly in the Satpura Hills of the Vidharba region. The unique sweet-sour flavor of Nagpur oranges is so special that it earned the Geographical Indication (GI) designation in 2014, a testament to the unique soil and agroclimatic conditions that make this flavor possible, found only in the Vidarbha region.
In conclusion, Nagpur’s title as the ‘Orange City’ isn’t just a nickname; it’s a testament to the rich history and bountiful citrus orchards that have made it a central hub for all things orange in India.