Latest news with #Barhi
Time of India
7 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Kutch's famous dates fall victim to its rain bounty
Rajkot: A group of 130 agricultural scientists, researchers and students — including experts from the United States, Morocco and Finland — gathered in Bhuj last month to address the future of Kutch's renowned date palm cultivation. Once a rain-deficient region, Kutch has seen a vast shift in its climate in recent years — with increased rainfall and frequent cyclones — threatening the very existence of its famous dates. What worries experts is the uniqueness of Kutch's date palms. The region has 140-odd varieties and genotypes of varying sizes and shapes, according to the Date Palm Research Centre in Mundra, run by Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University. The international conference, titled "Technological Innovations and Sustainable Development in Date Palm", focused on developing climate-resilient varieties of date palms. Experts emphasized the urgent need for research and biotechnology to address changing agro-climatic challenges. Traditionally, date palms in Kutch would start bearing fruit from the last week of May through to early June, with the harvest stretching till Aug. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In the past, the monsoon arrived in late July or early August — after the bulk of the harvest was completed. Climate change has altered this. The monsoon rain now starts as early as June 15, damaging ripening fruits, rupturing their skin, spoiling their taste and rendering them unsellable. C M Murlidharan, secretary of the Indian Date Palm Society, said, "The number of rainy days in Kutch has risen from 11 a year to 38. Annual rainfall has gone from 340mm to 1,200mm. Due to this, date growers are facing crop losses of 30% to 40% every year." He further emphasized the need for biotech intervention, saying, "We need to develop rain-resistant fruit or promote early maturing varieties, which bear fruit before the monsoon." Farmers echoed these concerns, noting that date palms need high temperatures in May for proper fruit setting. In recent years, unseasonal rain and cyclones in May have disrupted this. Vikramsinh Jadeja, a date grower from Anjar taluka and president of the Kutch Date Palm Growers Association, said: "Due to the threat of rain, farmers are forced to harvest unripe dates. Consumers don't prefer these, which leads to low demand and low prices." He added that while some early-maturing Desi varieties exist in certain pockets, most farmers — whether growing Desi or Barhi dates — are affected. "The Barhi variety, which comes later in the season, has no appeal if harvested half-ripe," he said. Roughly 25% of Kutch's date farmers have shifted to Barhi, a yellow variety known for its higher yield and sweeter taste. A single Barhi tree can yield around 250kg a season, compared to 150kg from Desi varieties. This has made it a consumer favourite and more profitable — in ideal conditions. Kapil Sharma, a scientist at the Date Palm Research Centre in Mundra, noted that Barhi's late maturing has backfired due to the shifting rain cycle: "In the past four to five years, Barhi growers suffered heavy losses. As this variety matures later it is more vulnerable to rain. Its cultivation also requires higher investment, amplifying the economic damage." Kutch currently has an estimated 20 lakh date trees on 19,000 hectares, with annual production averaging 1.8 lakh metric tonnes. Dates are grown in Mundra, Mandvi, Anjar, Bhachau, Rapar, Bhuj and Nakhatrana talukas. The region's aridity and the high tolerance of date palms to water salinity made it ideal for date farming. If farmers do not get scientific innovation in these changing climatic conditions, it will be difficult for them to bear such losses for more years. DATE WITH DESTINY Kutch has 140-odd varieties and genotypes of varying sizes and shapes The number of rainy days each year in Kutch has risen from 11 to 38 Annual rainfall has risen from 340mm to 1,200mm Most date varieties fall within two categories – Desi and Barhi 25% of Kutch's date growers rely on the Barhi type Barhi's late maturing has backfired due to the shifting rain cycle Kutch has an estimated 20 lakh date trees on 19,000 hectares, with annual production averaging 1.8 lakh metric tonnes
News18
12-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Only Class 8 Pass, This Barmer Farmer Now Earns Lakhs From Date Farming In The Desert
Curated By : Satyaki Baidya Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: June 12, 2025, 18:15 IST Rawataram Kalbi shared that he began cultivating dates in 2015 and started harvesting his first crop in 2018. (Local18) A farmer from Barmer, Rajasthan has defied expectations by transforming barren desert land into a profitable date palm orchard. Rawataram Kalbi, an eighth-grade pass farmer from Rajasthan's Bhakharpura village in the Gudamalani subdivision, has earned lakhs annually through date palm cultivation, demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation. Rawataram Kalbi, a farmer from Bhakharpura village in Barmer district's Gudamalani subdivision, has achieved what many educated youths might not dare to attempt. While others dismissed the barren land as useless, Kalbi travelled to Gujarat to learn the techniques of date palm cultivation. He drew inspiration from what he saw in Gujarat and began cultivating date palms on arid desert land. Though initially ridiculed by many, Kalbi's determination has paid off—those who once mocked him now admire his success. Kalbi shared that he began cultivating dates in 2015 and started harvesting his first crop in 2018. In the initial year, both the production and income from dates were low, but over time, the yield and profits steadily increased. Today, his once-barren fields are filled with lush green date palm trees, and he earns a profit of several lakhs every year. Kalbi has proved that with strong determination, even desert land can yield gold. Notably, he has also received government subsidies for his efforts. Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kalbi shared that his income was Rs 2 lakh in 2018, Rs 4 lakh in 2019, Rs 5 lakh in 2020, Rs 6 lakh in 2021, Rs 7 lakh in 2022, Rs 8 lakh in 2023, and Rs 10 lakh in 2024. This year, he expects an income of Rs 12 lakh. These figures clearly show that his earnings from date palm cultivation are rising steadily every year. Date palm is currently being cultivated on 250 hectares in Thar city, Barmer, generating an annual business of Rs 10–12 crore. Around 110 farmers are engaged in date farming across Barmer district, cultivating varieties like Medjool, Barhi, Ghanami, and Khuneji in the desert. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! News lifestyle Only Class 8 Pass, This Barmer Farmer Now Earns Lakhs From Date Farming In The Desert
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Identify Pak nationals living here illegally: Hazaribag BJP
Hazaribag: BJP workers, led by district president Vivekanand Singh, on Monday demonstrated in front of district collectorate in Hazaribag city demanding action against Pakistani citizens residing in the district. A letter in this regard was also handed over to deputy commissioner Nancy Sahay for it to be forwarded to Governor Santosh Gangwar and chief minister Hemant Soren. Barhi MLA Manoj Kumar Yadav was also present in this demonstration. Singh said the brutal killing of 26 innocent civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam on April.22 has shocked the entire nation. After this incident, the central govt has taken a very important decision to cancel the visas of Pakistani citizens and deport them from the country. He urged the district administration to identify Pakistani nationals in Hazaribag who are living without valid documents.
Khaleej Times
27-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: How dates worth millions of dirhams pass through this port to iftar tables around the world
When families around the world break their fast during Ramadan, there is a high probability that the dates on their iftar table passed through Dubai's Jebel Ali port. With its technology, infrastructure and central location, the UAE has emerged as a hub for date export. In 2023, the country exported the equivalent to approximately Dh1.19 billion worth of dates, making it the world's second-largest exporter. The Jebel Ali port handles 60 percent of the country's date trade — with more than 10 major exporters using the facility to consolidate dates from the GCC and Levant for markets in Asia and East Africa. Every year, demand for dates surges ahead of the holy month, from across North Africa and Europe to Asia. Figures show that the demand for dates is seasonal, with the export figures from the UAE in December 2024 being 9 times higher than that of July 2024. The export volume has remained strong in the months leading up to Ramadan. Consumer preferences According to some reports, consumers — especially in the Western markets — are incerasingly looking for organically and ethically sourced varieties of dates. Meanwhile, in Asia, bulk shipments remain the norm whereas in the GCC, high-quality, traditionally cultivated dates are the top priority for buyers. In the UAE, varieties like Khalas, with its chewy caramel flavor; Barhi which can be consumed fresh or dried and Khenaizi, with its firm texture, continue to be popular. A market report found that health-conscious customers are turning to dates as a healthy alternative to sugary treats. Packed with essential fibers, vitamins, and minerals, dates are becoming increasingly popular as a snack. Products made with date sugar are also gaining popularity. Exporters According to figures, the major exporters of dates include UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Iran and Tunisia in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. Other major producers of dates include Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan and California in USA, which mainly produces Medjool dates. The global dates market, worth $31 billion in 2024, is set to hit $49 billion by 2032. The Middle East and Africa lead the trade with an 85% share, while the US is seeing rapid growth, driven by a shift toward healthier eating habits. Role of Dubai There are several reasons why Dubai has emerged as such an important hub for date export. Moving perishables requires careful planning. Jebel Ali Port plays a crucial role with its cold storage facilities and streamlined customs processes, ensuring dates remain fresh and reach global markets on time, especially during peak seasons. The Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) provides a strategic base for processing, packaging, and export operations. DP World's integrated land and sea transport solutions have enhanced supply chain efficiency by 20 percent, with the company's logistics arm moving large-scale shipments of dates across six months from September, leading up to Ramadan. The facility is also fully equipped to deal with future challenges. Automation in handling perishables, greater investments in cold storage, and the adoption of eco-friendly packaging will help meet global environmental goals and drive efficiency. As demand continues to rise, Dubai remains a vital link in this centuries-old trade, connecting producers to consumers worldwide.
