Rotten Year for Muzaffarpur’s Shahi Lychee, Farmers Seek Help

The Quint speaks to Lychee farmers in Muzaffarpur. (Photo: The Quint)

For decades, consignments of Muzaffarpur’s famous Shahi Lychee would be sent to New Delhi marked for the President, the Prime Minister and various other dignitaries.

Not this year.

2015 saw one of the worst harvests of Lychee in years, owing to excessive rains, prolonged winters.

Farmers claim that Lychee business is worth at least Rs 2000 cr every year. However, unlike other crops, they do not have the option of insurance to protect them against losses.