News: The Rajasthan government is organising a Kinnow Mahakumbh in Sri Ganganagar on January 23, 24 and 25, 2026.
About Kinnow Cultivation in India
- Kinnow is a high-yielding citrus fruit which belongs to the “Mandarin” family.
- It is a hybrid of two varieties: King (Citrus nobilis Lour) and ‘Willow Leaf’ (Citrus deliciosa Tenora).
- Favourable conditions for its cultivation
- Climate: It thrives in the subtropical and warm temperate climate.
- Temperature: The optimum temperature range should be between 20–35 °C.
- Soil: The soil should be well-drained sandy loam and its pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
- The plant cannot grow in waterlogged soil.
- Planting: It is planted in the monsoon season with adequate spacing for proper aeration.
- Rainfall: 300-400 mm
- Irrigation: Irrigation depends on soil type, climate, rainfall and plant age. Light and frequent irrigation is recommended.
- Harvesting: Fruits are harvested between December and March, when they turn bright orange and reach maximum juiciness.
- Nutritional Value: It is rich in vitamin A, B, C, phosphorus and offers multiple health benefits.
- Consumption: Due to its distinct sour and sweet taste, it is consumed as fresh fruit, juice, squash, syrup and jam.
- They are also an important source of peel oil and citric acid used in cosmetics.
- Kinnow producing states in India: In India, it is largely cultivated in Punjab (leading state), Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and some parts of Uttar Pradesh.
- Global Cultivation: It is cultivated in China, tropical Asia, India, Japan, Mediterranean and Florida.
