Chittorgarh : In Chittorgarh, the custard apple planted on the fort has been facing the weather for two consecutive years. The production of Custard Apple has reduced this time due to first unseasonal rains and later due to strong sunlight in November. Not only this, this fruit called winter dry fruits could not last even for a month in the market. Due to less production the contract has become much cheaper. Due to the cheap contract, the market rate of custard apple has remained normal. Big size custard apple has come in less quantity, hence their prices are being sold at increased prices. This time the demand for Custard Apples from Durg has reached Delhi, Gujarat and UP.
This time also the tender was done in less amount
Chittorgarh is also famous for Sitaphal in the country. The custard apple here is in demand in different areas of the country. Manohar Mali told that tenders were made by the Archeology Department and the Tehsil regarding the winter fruits i.e. Custard Apples planted on the fort. The tender was made by the Archeology Department for Rs 2 lakh 10 thousand. Similarly, a tender of only Rs 60 thousand was made from the Tehsil office. Kishan Salvi has got both the tenders.
The season lasts for one month
Custard apple has been cultivated naturally for centuries at Chittorgarh Fort, spread over an area of 13 kilometers. Excluding monuments, settlements and roads, Custard Apple trees are planted in an area of about 9 to 10 kilometers. There are countless Custard Apple trees on the fort. These trees start bearing fruits from July-August and they also start selling after Diwali. This fruit has a season of only one month. The trees growing on the streets and roadsides outside the fort come under the revenue records of the tehsil, while the fruits of the trees growing inside the enclosures come under the Archaeological Survey Department. Apart from this, there are some enclosures which belong to the Archeology Department in the records, but they have been encroached upon and compensation has also been collected. In such a situation, the custard apple there is considered to be in their private account only.
Block Rain and heat spoiled the market of Custard apple
Manohar Mali said that this year too, like last year, Custard Apple is facing the brunt of the weather. There was less rain last year. This year, due to heavy rains, the flowers on the trees fell. The gardener told that it starts getting mildly cold from the last week of October. The cold increases a little in November, but this year strong sunshine is also being seen in November. In such a situation, the custard apple got less cold. Due to sunlight the fruits ripened quickly. Therefore, after Diwali, fruits are sold for only a few days. We have neither made much profit nor loss. But there has been inconvenience in selling fruits together in the market. The size was also not very big. Normal custard apple was sold for Rs 100 to 150 per kg. At the same time, big size custard apple is being sold for up to Rs 200 per kg.
Durg’s custard apple soon disappeared from the market
Sitaphal is a tree of low rainfall. Too much water also causes harm. These ripen naturally when the weather is good, so they have good sweetness. When it is cooked, its sweetness reduces and if there is excess water then these fruits become dull. When dew falls on custard apple, its size also increases. This time this did not happen due to excessive sunlight. Due to early ripening of custard apple, the sale was also done quickly. In the market where it had a season of one month. It disappeared from the market within 15 to 20 days. This time it has been supplied to Delhi, UP and Gujarat. Due to high demand for custard apple of Chittorgarh fort, many people had placed orders.
Record of last two years
Manohar Mali said that the custard apple of all the trees falling under the department and tehsil department is auctioned. Talking about the last time, in the year 2023, a tender was held by the Archeology Department for Rs 2 lakh. Whereas a tender of Rs 52 thousand was also made from the Tehsil office. Similarly, in the year 2022, a tender of Rs 5 lakh 5 thousand was made by the Archeology Department and a tender of Rs 1 lakh 86 thousand 200 was also made by the Tehsil Office.
Sales were good due to normal rates
The main contractors give contracts to different small farmers, after which they go to sell in the market. This time, even though the contract was won at a low price, sales were good due to the normal rates. Here traders from nearby Neemuch and Kumbhalgarh also come to Chittorgarh and sell custard apple.
The taste of Sitaphal of Chittorgarh is different
Custard apple is grown at different places in the state but the taste of custard apple from Chittor fort is considered to be different and best. Due to this, the demand for custard apple remains in different areas of the country. Custard apple trees are not planted here but the taste is special because they are grown naturally. The special thing is that the custard apple of Durg is never cooked, it ripens on the branch itself. That’s why there is a lot of sweetness in them. Tourists coming here during Sitaphal season between September-October also do not forget to taste them. Retail sale of custard apple grown on the fort has been taking place in Gandhi Chowk of the city.
