The Hindu Business Line : Higher mango loadings to North despite fall in output

Hyderabad June 5 Despite a huge fall in mango production this year, farmers and traders in Krishna district are sending more mangoes to markets in the North than last year.

Using the special trains in Vijayawada division of South Central Railway (SCR), the farmers have so far been able to send 31,330 tonnes in 30 rakes against a total of 31,850 tonnes from 30 rakes in 2006-07. "We hope that the total mango loading would cross the 35,000-tonne mark by the end of the season (April-June)," a senior SCR official told Business Line.

Huge demand

The division plans to operate four-five rakes more this season to help the farmers and traders reach out the northern market where there is great demand for Banginapally variety.

Mangoes, which are being loaded at Nuziveedu station, would go to Delhi's Naya Azadpur Mandi and from there to different North Indian destinations.

Revenue up

It's not just mango farmers that are benefited; the division too earned good revenues out of this business. "We have so far earned Rs 4.44 crore," the official said.

The year 2003-04 recorded highest loading of 48,658 tonnes from 50 rakes, followed by 38,255 tonnes from 39 rakes in 2005-06.

The SCR charges only 50 per cent of the normal freight charges for mangoes as they come under the bracket of perishable products. Last year, the concession was only 40 per cent.

As a result, the size of revenues might not cross Rs 5.4 crore earned by the division last year from mango business.

Following discussions with the farmers and traders, the zone developed infrastructure at Nuziveedu for loading of mangoes.

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