The Hindu Business Line : Mangoes could taste sour for consumers this year

Problematic season
Recent hailstorms and rains have worsened the situation further.
Heavy temperatures in early summer threaten to hamper the fruit's development.
Several mango orchards have started reporting pests and diseases.

Hyderabad April 17 It is going to be a disappointing year for mango lovers this year, with Andhra Pradesh, one of the top mango producing States in the country, signalling a very low production this season.

Ran effect

A senior Horticulture Department official told Business Line that the figure could be lower by at least 50 per cent, following unprecedented heavy rains in October due to the Ogni cyclone.

"This has led to active vegetative phase, resulting in delayed flowering in the State. The delay is prolonged and ranged up to two months in several districts," the official said.

The recent hailstorms and rains only further worsened the situation, with mango farmers reporting losses in several areas.

Poor arrivals

Delayed and poor arrivals into the main markets have shown a sharp increase in prices when compared to last year.

Mangoes, which generally flower in December, flowered in late January.

As a result, fruit set is expected to fall significantly in almost all the 13 important mango-growing districts.

The State grows mangoes in 3.9 lakh hectares, with an average productivity of 6-8 tonnes per hectare. This puts the average production in the range of 24-32 lakh tonnes.

While heavy rains in winter delayed flowering, heavy temperatures in early summer threaten to hamper the development process of the fruit. "This might result in fruit drop," the official said.

Worst hit

In Krishna district, one of the key mango growing districts, fruit set is 25-30 per cent less when compared to last year.

Officials expect a drop of 30-35 per cent in the yield this year here.

The farmers in Vizianagaram district seem to be the worst hit.

Flowering in the groves had begun only in the first week of February, indicating a drastic fall in yield.

This is not all. Several mango orchards across the State have started reporting pests and diseases such as mango hopper, thrips, powdery mildew and antracnose.

"We are trying to train the farmers in facing these pests and diseases. We are advising them on suitable plant protection measures," the official said.

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