Most of us are born and brought up in this beautiful state called Assam. Our childhood has been very special as we had seen Assam growing with us all along. We also have enjoyed many fruits and vegetables all along, which are indigenous to Assam.

Most of us may have memories of climbing trees to get our hands to few guavas, mangoes, jamun, bogoris, letekus, kordois, poniol, jolphais and so many other fruits which are natives to Assam and some grow in Assam only. We have fond memories of enjoying these moments in childhood wherein we had an healthy competition as in who will climb the guava tree first or who will pluck most number of guavas. Similarly had so much of fun in getting our hands to bogoris and jamuns in their respective seasons. Aiming with sticks or small pebbles towards the tress and getting the prized catch of bogoris was really special an very memorable.

The North-eastern region of India is the citrus depository of our country and is reported to be the centre of origin of many Citrus species. The genus Citrus L., the sole source of the citrus fruits of commerce, includes some of the most commercially important fruits. As many as 17 Citrus species, their 52 cultivars and 7 probable natural hybrids are reported to have originated in the North-eastern region of India. Northeast India falls under the “Indo-Burma Region” of hot spot of biodiversity, which is the richest and one of the most threatened places for plant life on the earth. Several Citrus species and their natural hybrids have been reported to originate and exist in this area. However, this vast indigenous Citrus diversity of India has not been used to its full potential for Citrus improvement programs. Sustainable in situ and on farm conservation is possible with active synergies with farmers, communities and national institutions. Role of farmers as active partners, conservator, promoter and custodian of local Citrus diversity are needed to be recognized. Some of the major citrus fruits of Assam are as follows:

1.      Sweet Lime. Botanical name: Citrus limetta.

2.      Oranges. Botanical name: Citrus sinensis. ...

3.      Tangerine. Botanical name: Citrus tangerina. ...

4.      Clementine. Botanical name: Citrus clementina. ...

5.      Blood Orange. Botanical name: Citrus sinensis. ...

6.      Citron. Botanical name: Citrus medica. ...

7.      Pomelo. Botanical name: Citrus maxima. ...

8.      Assam Lemon ( Kaji Nemu ). Botanical name: Citrus limon

Health Benefits Of Citrus Fruits Available in India:

• Citrus fruits help in aiding weight loss. It is because citrus fruits have high fiber content and water, which helps in keeping you hydrated for more extended periods.

• Citrus fruits are rich in fiber content. Thus, it helps in boosting cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

• Citrus fruits also help in reducing the risk of stomach and esophageal cancers.

• Citrus fruits are a great anti-aging food. They help in regenerating collagen that maintains the elasticity of your skin.

• Citrus fruits help in reducing the risk of kidney stones, as they are rich in plant compounds and vitamins.

Assam is home to quite a number of indigenous fruits. Additionally, Assam also has its own varieties of mangoes. Yet, what has been seen is that, barring bananas, people across the state have not taken to cultivating fruits in order to earn a livelihood. The few kilogrammes of jamu (Indian blackberry), leteku (Burmese grapes), jolphai (Indian olive), amara (hog plum), poniol (Indian coffee plum), bogori (jujube), bel (wood apple), and lichu that one sees in the local market do not come from any commercial plantation. Rather, they come from villages where these plants grow in a stray manner. Yet, the fact remains that all these and other fruits that are found across Assam are not only tasty but also have a lot of medicinal qualities. Unfortunately, very few people grow fruits in Assam on a commercial scale. Though there is a department of horticulture to exclusively promote the cultivation of fruits in Assam, the overall situation in no way proves that the said department is actually active and is doing its duty well. The website of the horticulture department and statistics compiled by this department, however, show such a picture that one will be compelled to think that Assam is a major producer of fruits.

With the establishment of a number of units in Assam manufacturing various ayurvedic products, one can foresee that there is good prospect of cultivating various fruits, as well as various medicinal plants and herbs, in the state on a commercial scale. While the concerned government department has apparently failed, it is probably for the non-government sector, including individual entrepreneurs, to take upon themselves the responsibility of promoting the cultivation and marketing of traditional indigenous fruits of Assam in earnest.

There is some good beginnings happening in the region lately. We have seen some shipments of Kaji Nemu, Jack fruits, pumpkins, oranges, pineapples etc being exported directly in the recent years. Although the quanities are small, it shows the immense potential Assam has in this field of horticulture. If a small region of Nagpur in Maharashtra can feed oranges to the whole of India, why can’t Assam become the orange and lemon bowl of India. There is no reason why we can’t do it. We have more fertile land and suitable climate to grow many such fruits. We have a huge workforce to get engaged in this profitable business of farming. Entrepreneurship and startups are also making headway in Assam and together with favourable government policies and support, we can surely make a big impact in the national and international level.

We are witness to the small tea grower’s revolution in Assam in 1980’s-1990’s which transformed the tea industry and gave employment together with financial stability to millions of unemployed youths, in no time. A similar approach is the need of the hour in the field of horticulture in Assam. We should start with Kaji Nemu, Pineapple and oranges which has a ready market nationally and internationally. Then we can develop other fruits and vegetables. With better logistics and connectivity, perishable commodities reaching their markets is easier than before. Warehousing and cold storages are also more modern and available. Hence the growth and success in this sector is very much possible.