Daily News Analysis

Litchi

stylish_lining

National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL) has successfully expanded litchi cultivation in India by providing technical help, plants and training to farmers.

  • It is a sweet juicy fruit which is also known as lychee or lichee.
  • Scientific name – Litchi chinensis under soapberry family (Sapindaceae).
  • It is a small, oval roundish fruit that is native to Southeast Asia.
  • Growing conditions – A sensitive fruit influenced by temperature, rainfall, humidity and soil suitability as well.
  • Climate changes can make the fruit to grow smaller, less sweet and juicy and crack.
  • In India – It mainly grows in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand.
  • Commercial cultivation – More than 0.1 million hectares of land across 19 Indian states including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Mizoram among others.
  • Litchi harvest – It takes place in summer in North India while in Karnataka, it takes place in the winter.
  • Production – Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Assam accounts for 78% of the total production in the country.
  • Bihar alone produces 43% of total litchi and occupies nearly 35% of the area in India.

Muzaffarpur region of Bihar, the litchi capital of India.

  • Popular varieties – Shahi litchi, China, Gandki Lalima, Gandki Sampada and Gandki Yogita.

Shahi litchifrom Bihar known for its sweet, juicy, unique flavour and aroma with pearly white aril has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL)

  • Established in – 2001.
  • Located at – Mushahari in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
  • Umbrella Institution – Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
  • Aim – To act as a nodal institution for research and development on litchi in India, acts as a national repository of information and also provides consultancy services to end users.
  • Activities – It is preparing 1000’s of litchi saplings at its nursery each year and supply them to farmers in different states.

Litchi fruit contains a toxin, methylene cyclopropyl-glycine (MCPG), which is known to be fatal by causing encephalitis-related deaths.  This is especially harmful when consumed by malnourished children.

Israel-US-Iran Conflict

Recently, tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically as Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, a significant military strike aimed at Iranian nuclear infrastructure and balli
Share It

Philippines President’s Visit to India (2025)

In 2025, during the Philippines President's state visit to India, both nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The visit reaffirmed the 1952 Treaty of Friends
Share It

India's Participation in the 51st G7 Summit

India participated as an Outreach Country in the 51st G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada in 2025. Key Outcomes of the 51st G7 Summit (2025): Kananaskis Wildfire Charter:
Share It

Quit India Movement (QIM)

India commemorates 8th August every year as Quit India Movement Day (also known as August Kranti Diwas) to honor the historic movement that demanded the immediate end of British colonial rule in I
Share It

Union Cabinet Approves National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, aiming to address long-standing challenges and transform India into a global sportin
Share It

CIMMYT’s Financial Crisis

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), a pivotal institution in the development of agricultural research for maize, wheat, and related crops, is facing significant financia
Share It

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

India's refusal to sign the joint declaration at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China has been a significant diplomatic development.
Share It

China-Pakistan-Bangladesh Trilateral Meeting

China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh held their first-ever trilateral meeting during the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum.China took the lead in facilitating the dialogue, aiming to boost regiona
Share It

US Imposing Tariffs on India

The US's decision to raise tariffs on India, particularly targeting the continued purchase of Russian oil, has had significant implications for the bilateral trade relationship between the two
Share It

Offshore Wind Energy

As India expands its wind energy capacity, reaching an estimated 51.3 GW by mid-2025, concerns are growing over the environmental impact, particularly on bird populations and marine biodiversity.
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS