India: Mango output hit by pest and disease
Ordinarily mangoes are cultivated over 67,000ha in the region, but now this has been reduced to 55,000 ha. Most of the losses have been caused by borers destroying the fruit.
The main problem is that farmers are unable to identify an attack from the pest until it is too late, as it enters the fruit during budding.
N. Rosaiah, a farmer of Naguluru in Reddygudem, took his mangoes to Nunna market on Friday last week and recounted his loss. he said the fruit borer had reduced his crop yields by 60% this year.
Mangoes have also been hit again this year by mangu pest, causing black spots on the fruits. Despite the fact that mangoes affected are still fit for human consumption there is no demand for fruits that have affected by this disease as the appearance renders them unappealing to the consumer.
Source: www.deccanchronicle.com