The mango season this year has been disappointing for farmers and enthusiasts in Goa, with a significant reduction in production. Marius Fernandes, a mango farmer from Divar, reported a lack of mangoes on trees due to adverse weather conditions, including unseasonal rains that disrupted the flowering and fruiting cycle. This has led to a 40-50% drop in production, particularly affecting the Mancurad variety, known for its unique flavor. The decline in the bee population, essential for pollination, was also noted as a contributing factor.
Thomas Fernandes, a mango plantation leaser from Siolim, mentioned that despite the overall decline, the pricing of mangoes remained unchanged due to high input costs. Ashvek Dhargalkar, a wholesale dealer, observed a 50% decrease in the crop yield, attributing it to the erratic weather. Nevil Alphonso, Director of Agriculture, confirmed the decline in production across all mango varieties, citing changing climatic conditions as the cause.
In Andhra Pradesh, untimely rains have severely impacted mango orchards, causing substantial crop damage. Many farmers have faced losses for three consecutive years due to weather adversities. The early harvest initiated in Nuzividu witnessed a lack of interest from exporters due to the sour taste of mangoes. However, the price of premium quality Banginapalli mangoes saw a significant increase in May. Retailers have raised the price of mangoes in local markets, exploiting the crop damage to their advantage, leading to discontent among consumers.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com