Mango output to shrink because of unfavourable weather

Weather, since the beginning of March, has been inconsistent with showers and wind accompanied by afternoon heat

Unseasonal rain in Gujarat has upset the prospects of a bumper mango crop this season, with cultivators staring at substantial damage to the crop.  The weather has been inconsistent right from the beginning of the month. Untimely rainfall, though, has damaged mango flower at the growing stage.

“Over the last five years, we have been facing this kind of situation on account of unfavourable weather. When fruits were growing and good output was expected, rain destroyed most of the crops in the Gir region, one of the major mango-growing regions in the state,” said Harsukh Zarasaniya, secretary, Talala Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee. According to Zarsaniya, mango growers are cutting trees, as they are not getting proper returns for the crop and faced considerable damage over the last few years. Recently, about 10,000 mango trees have been cut down by farmers in the Gir region.

Strong gusts of wind withered flowers of mango trees in Saurashtra's major 'kesar' (a variety of mango) growing areas like Dhari, Khambha, Savarkundla in Amreli and Talala, Mendarda and Vanthali in Junagadh district.

Sanjay Vekaria, owner of Sumit Baag and Nursery, based in Junagadh district, said, “Talala and Gir regions have been the worst-affected regions in the Saurashtra region. Overall damage to mango crop is nearly 15-20 per cent. There is also fear of spread of disease in mango because of cold and cloudy weather.”

He said mango season might be delayed this year by 15-20 days as growth of the fruit has been disturbed in the current weather condition.

However, according to a primary survey conducted earlier this month, there has been "no damage" to the mango crop. Gujarat agriculture department officials said most of the mango-growing places are safe.

D P Thakor, joint director of horticulture, agriculture and co-operation department, Gujarat government, said, “In the primary survey conducted early this month, there has been no damage found to mango crop anywhere. However, we will undertake a detailed survey and if the damage to the crop is over 50 per cent, then the government will provide financial assistance to farmers.”

Mango, according to the state government, is cultivated on 142,691 hectares in 2013-14 and output stood at 1.12 million tonnes. The mango production in the state has increased marginally compared to the one million tonnes registered in 2012-13.