Patna: Bihar’s celebrated Shahi litchi crop has suffered extensive damage this season, with farmers in Muzaffarpur and neighbouring districts reporting losses of up to 70% due to erratic weather and pest attacks.
The impact has been felt across major litchi-producing regions including Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and West Champaran. Farmers said prolonged heat, unseasonal rainfall and insect infestations disrupted flowering and fruit development, resulting in significantly lower yields.
Muzaffarpur, often referred to as India’s litchi capital, is known for its Shahi litchi variety, which holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its distinctive aroma and flavour. The fruit is exported to several domestic and international markets each year.
Production Falls Sharply
According to farmers associated with the Bihar Litchi Association, only 25% to 30% of the expected crop has survived in several orchards this year.
Bachcha Singh, a farmer from Muzaffarpur district, said orchards that produced thousands of boxes of litchis last season have yielded only a fraction of that volume this year.
Many growers said the surviving fruit also lacks the usual colour, sweetness and shine associated with the Shahi variety, reducing its market value.
Weather Conditions Disrupt Flowering
Agriculture experts said weather conditions during the winter months played a major role in the decline.
Litchi cultivation depends heavily on a stable climate, particularly low temperatures during November and December, which are necessary for proper flowering. This year, however, warmer conditions led to the growth of leaves instead of flowers in many orchards.
Cloudy weather and light rainfall during February and March further affected crop development, experts said.
Pest Attacks Add To Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers also reported widespread attacks by the “Flower Weaver” insect during the flowering stage. The pest damaged blossoms across several orchards, reducing fruit formation.
Growers said the combined impact of adverse weather and pest infestations has left them facing heavy financial losses. Many orchard owners now fear difficulties in recovering cultivation costs this season.
Agriculture officials have yet to announce any compensation or relief measures for affected farmers.
