Darjeeling Orange Farmers Face Crisis Amidst Tax Hurdles and Market Floods

The Darjeeling orange is in a dilemma. Traders in Siliguri, central to the fruit trade, are experiencing significant losses due to a sharp decline in production. With production diminishing to a mere 20%, the future of this iconic fruit, remains uncertain, raising concerns about its continued existence.

Darjeeling Orange

Every year from November to January, North Bengal witnessed a bustling trade in oranges, contributing crores of rupees to the regional economy. The Regulated Market in Siliguri, the largest wholesale market in the Northeast and nestled in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, became the focal point for traders nationwide.

Enthusiastically, traders gathered at this market hub, eagerly securing stocks of the seasonal fruit in abundance. The vibrant commerce not only fueled economic growth but also turned the region into a hotspot for the orange trade, attracting traders from various corners of the country.

The winds of change have swept through North Bengal in recent years, altering the agricultural landscape that once thrived on the abundant production of oranges in Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong. This noticeable decline in output is not just a dip in fruit yields but also a cause for concern regarding the broader economic repercussions on the region. 

The fading vibrancy of once-thriving trading seasons, which were instrumental for North Bengal's prosperity, underscores the urgent need for a strategic reassessment. The shifting dynamics prompt a call for innovative interventions and revitalization strategies to breathe new life into the declining orange industry across these crucial districts.