Fruit Plantation :

Fruit Plantation :
The agroclimate of Odisha state is very favourable for different long and short duration fruits. Under long duration fruits Coconut, Cashewnut, Mango, Sapota, Jackfruit, Orange, K.Lime, Litchi are most important crops. Similarly, fruits like Banana, Papaya and Pineapple are the prominent short duration fruit crops.
The distribution of these crops in different parts of Odisha is based on specific agroclimatic requirement of the crop.

Coconut :
Odisha enjoys 450 kms. of coastal belt most suitable for Coconut plantation. This traditional area is predominant of tall varieties of coconut which thrive for more than 100 years and start fruiting from 4th to 8th year depending on its maintenance . Under non-traditional areas, the basin of river Bainsadhara in Rayagada and some valleys in different inland districts are found to be suitable for the crops. The productivity of such plants are comparatively less than the crops in traditional areas. At present the coverage under coconut is 28,986 hectares with average annual production of 33 nuts per palm. Coconut is considered as the cash crop of more than 10 lakh people residing in the coastal belt. The crop has multifarious uses and provides Oil, Copra, Drinks, Fuel, and raw materials for coir industry.

Mango :
Mango, the king of fruits is found in all most all over the State of Odisha. There are innumerable varieties of traditionally grown elite and country mangoes. Since last 20 years the Department of Horticulture has taken massive drive for commercial cultivation of mango by introducing commercial varieties both from North and South India as well as hybrids. Mango is also a favorite crop of the tribals in Odisha, who utilise dehydrated green mangoes and mango leather by sun drying the pulp. The kernels are used as statchy food by the tribals. Prominent commercial mango varieties are Bombay Green, Fazil, Langra, Banganpalli, Totapuri, Lat sundari, Amprapalli, Malika and Chausa etc. The total existing area under the crop is 96,228 hectares in the State. The crop has alternate bearing habits for which the production varies widely from year to year.

Kagzi lime :
It is a prominent fruit crop grown in specific areas of Keonjhar, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput and Dhenkanal districts. Lime is also an important fruit crop of the tribals. It is very popular for its medicinal value . The crop is grown in 13,275 hectares and produces 1,33,000 MT of fruits. It has wide range of varieties ranging from thin skinned K.Lime to thick skinned table type lemons.

Jackfruits :
This another long duration fruit tree thriving for centuries. The crop is widely grown in Phulbani, Koraput, Ganjam and Kalahandi districts. In other districts the crop is found sporadically. Jackfruit was introduced by Britishers in tribal pockets of Odisha. The fruits are consumed in its different stages. The timber is also used for furnitures and in building works.

Orange :
Mandarin hill orange grown in Rayagada block of Gajapati district and Niyamgiri hills of Rayagada district akin to khasi orange. Areas in Angul, Athamallik of Dhenkanal district and Pallahara of Angul district are suitable for Nagapur mandarins. The crop is grown in 9039 hectares of land and the production is 43,000 MT. Tribals of Niyamgiri hill is Eastern Ghat are traditional orange growers in 6,000 hectares.

Other fruits:
Litchi, Coconut, Pomegranate, Custard apple, Ber, Aonla are other tropical fruits grown in the state but in limited acreage.