Rain-hit mango farmers seek government help

Mahbubnagar: The mango farmers are the worst hit due to recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm in Mahbubnagar district. It is estimated that of the 30 lakh acres total cropping area in the district, the mango plantation occupies about 3 to 5 lakh acres. There are hundreds of acres of mango plantation in Jadcherla, Bhootpur, Balanagar, Rajapur, Devarkadra, Nawabpet and other mandals in Mahbubnagar which have been destroyed due to sudden downpour.

The farmers have been planning to harvest the mangoes in another 15-20 days April is the right season for the mangoes to get ripen. However, the rains have poured cold water on their dreams. "This is the right time when the mango gets its good pulp cover and ripens fully. We are about to harvest the crop in about 15-20 days. However, rains and hailstorm have all dampened our spirits of great yield," said Mohammad Haasmi, who has a mango plantation in over three acres in Jadcherla.

Particularly, the mango plantations in Tatikonda and Bottugutta villages of Bhootpur mandal have been totally destroyed causing great loss to farmers. "I have spent more than 8 lakh to grow the mango plantation. I was expecting a good yield of Rs 25 lakh this time. However, the rains have wreaked havoc and mangoes have fallen to the ground," said Anjaneyulu of Bottugutta village, while pouring out his woes.

Further, the mango farmers are worried that this time the mango yield has drastically fallen due to lack of proper water facilities and lack of good weather to hold the flower during pollination. The unseasonal hailstorm and sudden rains have all the more pushed the mango farmers into losses.

Meanwhile, CPI members along with members of All India Kisan Sabha visited the damaged mango gardens in Bhootpur mandal and demanded the government to immediately assess the loss and provide financial aid up to Rs 50,000 to each acre for the mango farmers.

"The Agriculture department officials have totally failed to assess the crop loss due to heavy rains. Not a single agriculture officer has gone out to the fields to assess the loss. This shows the government has no interests to protect the farmers," said Chand Basha, AIKS District General Secretary Mahbubnagar. In view of the unexpected loss, the mango farmers have urged the State government to bail them out. CPI General Secretary Mahbubnagar Paramesh Goud and AIKS member B Balkishan were part of the team that visited the mango orchards on the day.