There’s something magical about the arrival of litchis each summer.
Their rosy-red shells peek out from fruit carts, kitchen bowls overflow with freshly bought bunches, and families gather around to peel away the rough skin and reveal the juicy sweetness within.
For many Indians, litchis are more than just a seasonal fruit — they are a taste of childhood holidays, lazy afternoons, and memories shared with loved ones.
But this summer, India’s litchi growers are reporting lower yields. Extreme heat, unseasonal rain, and changing weather patterns have taken a toll on orchards.
Behind every bunch of litchis this season lies a story of farmers adapting to a changing climate. Photograph: (Unsplash)
The shortage is particularly visible in Bihar, home to the country’s famed Shahi litchi, where farmers have lost a significant portion of this year’s crop.
Yet even as climate challenges threaten one of India’s most beloved summer fruits, farmers and researchers are finding new ways to adapt — offering hope that future generations will still get to savour the taste of summer in every bite.
When heatwaves hit India’s favourite summer fruit
This summer, many of us may notice fewer litchis at the market. In some parts of India, farmers have lost nearly half their crop. Bihar has been hit the hardest. Known for Muzaffarpur’s Shahi Litchi—famous for its juicy sweetness and fragrance—the state’s orchards have faced an unusually harsh season.
Litchis are delicate. They need temperatures around 30–35°C while ripening to grow properly. This April, some orchards saw the mercury rise to nearly 45°C. Fruits dropped from the trees too soon, skins darkened, and many that survived were smaller, drier, and less sweet than usual.
The weather didn’t stop there. Unseasonal rain, hailstorms, and pesky stink bugs added to the trouble. On top of that, warmer winters are slowly changing the rules of the game. Litchi trees need a cold spell to bloom, and shorter, milder winters mean fewer flowers — and fewer fruits — year after year.
From Bihar’s struggling orchards to a thriving farm in Wayanad, the story of India’s litchis is becoming a story of climate adaptation. Photograph: (TBI team)
For a fruit that marks childhood summers, festive mornings, and shared family moments, these changes are more than just about harvests. They’re beginning to alter the memories and traditions that come with India’s favourite summer treat.
So what’s this 74-YO’s secret to beating the heat?
Hundreds of kilometres away, in the misty hills of Wayanad, Kerala, a very different story is unfolding.
At 74, Kuruvila Joseph knows his land like the back of his hand. On a farm perched nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, just 12 litchi trees yielded an astonishing three tonnes of fruit last year.
Even more remarkable is when they bear fruit. While most litchis flood the markets in summer, Joseph’s harvest arrives months later—in November and December.
His secret is simple: patience. He lets the fruits ripen naturally on the tree, basking in Wayanad’s cool climate, without any chemical shortcuts or quick fixes.
The litchis may be fewer this summer, but innovative farmers are proving that the future of the fruit is far from lost. Photograph: (TBI team)
His orchard has caught the eye of researchers from Bihar and beyond, keen to learn how litchi farming can thrive even as the climate changes. In 2016, Joseph’s dedication earned him the prestigious Litchi Ratna award.
A reason to stay hopeful
Joseph’s guiding principle is simple: “The fruit you won’t eat, you should never sell.”
At a time when farmers across the country are confronting unpredictable weather, his orchard offers more than a successful harvest.
It shows how local knowledge, patience and a deep respect for nature can help communities adapt to a changing climate.
India’s litchi growers may be facing one of their toughest seasons yet, but stories like Joseph’s suggest that the future of this beloved fruit is not entirely lost. And that the taste of summer can still endure for generations to come.
