Nellore: Farmers optimistic of getting profitable prices for mangoes

Nellore: Rising temperatures and irregular rains coupled with thunderstorms delayed mango production this year in the district. But farmers are optimistic about getting remunerative price for mangoes though the peak season has been over.

Mango growing areas are spread in around 8,000 hectares mainly in Gudur, Rapur, Podalakur, Naidupet, Atmakur, Venkatagiri, Sangam, Kaligiri and Vinjamur mandals in the district. Flowering season starts from January 15 and lasts till mid-February, but this year the change in weather had disturbed the process.

The normal area of the crop is around 10,000 hectares and it reduced to 7,000-8,000 hectares this year. Last year also mango cultivation failed to get good yield due to poor flowering. Mango cultivation has been facing hard times since 2016 due to low rainfall and other environmental problems.

A senior official from the horticulture department said that change in climatic conditions obstructed the export of mangoes this year to other parts of the state. The department is expecting between 35,000-40,000 tonnes of mangoes this year. After selling to the traders and in the open markets, farmers prefer to transport the excess stocks to the pulp making units across the state.

Generally, farmers get 8 to 10 tonnes of mangoes per hectare and this time farmers are expecting a low yield of between 4-5 tonnes due to changed weather conditions and rains coupled with gale winds. Many mango gardens incurred huge losses due to gales.

Majority of farmers cultivate Banginapalli variety in 80 pc of area for good returns that sustain seasonal pests and also yields good prices in the market.

"Due to shortage of the crop, mangoes have been imported to the district from other parts of the state like Nuzvid, in May. So, local people wait for yield from the district and parts of Rayalaseema for tasteful mangoes," said K Raghava Reddy from Venkatagiri.

He expressed hopes on getting profitable prices this time after normal stocks are over in the market.

Consumers are purchasing at Rs. 50-70 per kg the mangoes brought from other parts of the state. Mangoes cultivated in the district have good demand in Bengaluru, Chennai and parts of Telangana.

Farmers are optimistic that the delayed crop during lockdown will bring good prices for bailing them out from the continuous losses.