March rainfall and a dip in temperature has brought smiles on the faces of litchi growers in north Bihar.

Cold winds and rain help in flowering of litchi trees. But there is a catch. Prolonged cloudy conditions may lead to fungal infection and growth of pests in the trees. "Healthy flowering takes place when the temperature is low this time of the year," said Bholanath Jha, the farmers' representative of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA).

Jha said litchi growers should not water the plants right now because the soil gets enough moisture owing to intermittent rain. "There is no need to water the trees for requisite need of humidity. The growers are asked to keep the litchi orchards clean to shield against pests and other insects," he added.

ATMA's deputy project manager Vinod Kumar said the kisan mitras, who give technical inputs to farmers, have started visiting litchi orchards and talking with growers to give them proper guidance.

"The kisan mitras visited litchi orchards in Minapur, Kanti and Jhapha areas of the district," said Vikram Kumar, a traditional litchi grower of Jhapha village. "Once the pinnacles (the young fruit visible after flower dries up) emerge in a few days, the growers must sprinkle insecticide on the trees," said Vikram.