Unfavourable weather may hit Kesar mango crop

Due to cloudy and foggy weather in the Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gujarat, the 'Kesar' variety of mango crop is likely to be damaged this year. According to farmers and Junagadh Agriculture University (JAU) if the climate persists, the mango crop may see enhanced damage due to pests.

"The current weather is not good for mango crop as it is in peak stage and needs hot atmosphere. However, cold, cloudy and foggy weather in the region may cause disease or pest attack in mango," said Ravajibhai Chovatiya, head of horticulture department, JAU.

Earlier in February, Gujarat had also faced cold wave, with temperatures dipping to record low in several parts in the state, thanks to snowfall in northern parts of the country. Cold waves hurt the flowers of the mango in February.

According to DK Varu, assistant professor, horticulture department, JAU, cold weather accompanied by fog and cloud tends to not only impact mango crop with diseases but also reduce the crop's yield.

"Currently mango crop needs hot weather but since last couple of days temperature has dipped tremendously which is not good for mango crop. Further, the mango production may decline this year due to such weather," said Harsukh Jarsaniya, secretary Talala Agriculture Produce Market Committee.

Apparently, similar condition has been reported Kutch area. "Pests like worms may infect the mango crop if this kind of weather continues for some more time," said Batuksinh Jadeja of Ashapura Farms and Nursery from Kutch.

JAU has advised farmers to take precautionary steps if they see any kind of disease or pests on the mango crop.

Apparently, last year was also not good for mango as it rained unexpectedly in February 2011. Production of Kesar mango stood at 3.33 million boxes (each box containing 10 kg) in 2011, which had declined by 959,000 boxes from 4.29 million boxes of 2010.

During the season, about 33 percent mango crop comes to Talala APMC for auction. Most of the farmers trade their products in APMCs at Rajkot, Junagadh, and Ahmedabad, among other places.