TAXILA: The much awaited, famous red blood oranges of Khanpur have finally ripened.
Dozens of makeshift kiosks have been set up along the Taxila-Khanpur road by local farmers to attract passersby and those who come here especially to buy these farm fresh oranges.
As one travels towards Khanpur Dam from Taxila, there are citrus farms along both sides of roads where many are seen standing along the roadside tasting and buying these famous oranges. The fruit is native to the Panj Katha area located between Taxila and Khanpur, where farms are spread over 280 hectares.
According to official data, this area produced around 2200 to 2400 tons of fruit per annum which is unique in its colour and taste. Each day, many people travel from Taxila, Wah Cantonment, Rawalpindi and Islamabad especially for the blood oranges. Other hybrid varieties such as sackry, mussamy, Washington naval, ruby red, early fruiter and grapefruit are also sold at the kiosoks.
Unfortunately, a sharp decline in the yield of citrus fruit due to unfavourable weather conditions, and smaller supply of water from Khanpur dam has led to higher prices. The oranges cost around 1500 to 1600 Rupees per one hundred oranges.
Kamran Khan, a local farmer, said that Khanpur valley has been witnessing a considerable decline in the yield of citrus fruit due to rapid commercialisation of arable land in the last few years.
He said water scarcity has also meant that per tree production of oranges has also fallen.
Another farmer, Raja Javaid, said: “Our water from Khanpur Dam is being given to Islamabad, which is causing a reduction in the citrus yield.”
He said people of Khanpur sacrificed their land for the construction of Khanpur Dam but in turn were deprived of their share of water for irrigation.
Adnan Khan, who is also a citrus farmer, said agriculture and horticulture system of the entire area, once known as the fruit basket of the region faced an ecological catastrophe.
Raja Kamran, another farmer, said during April to June when the citrus trees start fruiting and need more water than usual, not enough water is supplied from the dam. Moreover, ground water is also diminishing. He confirmed that although prices have gone up it has not dented sale.
Noman Javaid, a resident of Wah Cantt, sat along the roadside with his family eating oranges bought from a Kiosk.
“We love eating farm fresh oranges under the bright December sun. It’s a great feeling,” he said.
Other buyers at the kiosks said they had come from Islamabad and Rawalpindi just to buy blood oranges. “I come here every year to buy these oranges but this year, the rate has gone up and reduced my buying power,” said Malik Usman Aziz, a customer.
Published in Dawn December 10th , 2014