West Champaran Bettiah Litchi Orchards Bihar

West Champaran district in northern Bihar is among the country premier litchi growing districts, with extensive orchards around Bettiah and Narkatiaganj producing large-fruited Shahi, China, and Desi varieties from June through July. The laterite loam soil and Himalayan foothills microclimate produce exceptionally sweet fruit with thin skin and high Brix. Bihar supplies over 70 percent of national litchi production. Cooperative orchardists in West Champaran, supported by NABARD and the National Horticulture Mission, aggregate fresh fruit and market consignments to Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai in refrigerated trucks. Cold-chain cooperative investment in pre-cooling chambers has enabled export consignments to Bangladesh, Middle East, and European specialty fruit importers. The cooperative also produces litchi honey from large-scale apiary colonies placed in orchards during bloom season.