A Khasi woman plucks oranges in Shillong

Guwahati, Oct. 22: It’s your staple wake-up diet. Bleary-eyed, you pull out the carton every morning for a refreshing sip after a workout or a quick snack on your way to work.

But that nondescript orange juice on your breakfast table may have a more hi-tech origin than you realise.

The North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) is using high-resolution satellite images to help Mandarin orange (a variety originating in China) growers in the region understand the reasons behind the dwindling production of the fruit. The satellite images will provide data on soil quality, weather conditions and other factors, which will then be analysed towards finding permanent solutions.

About 17 species of oranges are grown in the Northeast, of which the Mandarin orange is cultivated in all the states, though it is Meghalaya where the fruit grows abundantly.

The southern part of Khasi Jaintia hills of Meghalaya has some of the oldest orchards of Mandarin.

The past few decades, however, has seen a sharp decline in production of Mandarin oranges. According to statistics, there has been a decline of nearly 16,000 metric tonnes in production of Mandarin oranges in the past four decades in Meghalaya alone.

Kumud Bhattacharyya, director of NESAC, said the orchards in the Northeast, unlike those in other parts of the country, are often dotted with other vegetation.

“The study will attempt to map the extent of vegetation, water stress condition and soil erosion in the orange-growing areas using satellite images. Taking the Umling block of Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya to start with, statistics on orchards and their condition are being collected from ground survey and interviews with the villagers,” said Bhattacharyya.

“The citrus decline problem refers to a gradual decrease in vigour and productivity of the plants. It is not a specific disease, but a symptomatic expression of many disorders in the plant,” Bhattacharyya added.

So next time you savour your orange pudding, thank the satellite images along with your mother’s culinary skills.