Mango growers expecting bumper crop due to conductive weather conditions

BENGALURU: Because of the conductive weather conditions this year, the mango growers, are expecting a bumper crop. 

Officials from Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd (KSMDMC) have said that, the flowering was encountered in the early October, which was the result of the good rain at the beginning of monsoon. 

“So far so good, but the next one month is crucial this year. If there is no hailstorm, which is usually expected in March-April and affects mango flowers, and the state receives moderate rain during the period, we can expect a good harvest.” said CG Nagaraj, managing director, KSMDMC

Early arrivals of the crop varieties like Senthoora and Benishan/Banganapalli have arrived in small quantities in Ramanagara and Kolar markets, with a premium selling price of Rs 130 per kg. “Barring this, the time of arrival of mango will be normal this season and the crop is expected to be harvested after mid-April,” said an official in the horticulture department.

PR Suryanarayana, Kolar district president, Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KRRS) said, “Like last year, this time also we are expecting good yield in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, because of which demand for our produce may fall again. The government should wake up to the impending crisis early and put in place the supportive mechanism.”

He marked out the benefits of the deficit price compensation scheme which was announced last year and which is yet to reach all farmers. “In Kolar alone, 500 of 7,500 applications submitted to avail the benefit are pending. The government has to look into all these aspects,” said Suryanarayana.