Extreme winter conditions this year have adversely affected the Uttar Pradesh mango crop and traders should be prepared for a lean crop. Mango growers cite poor flowering, diseases and erratic water supply as a few reasons for the expected low produce. Moreover, the crop is also likely to be delayed by around 20 days and is expected to hit the market by June 20 this year.
In Malihabad, where 23,589 hectares of land is in use for mango farming, growers were looking forward to a good yield, but the delayed flowering has left a severe dent on the mango crop.
Insram Ali, the president All India Mango Growers' Association (AIMGA) said that on an average, the mango belt here in Uttar Pradesh, produces 4.5 mln metric tons of mangoes. But this time, following the delayed flowering and other factors, including poor watering and availability of poor-quality pesticide, the production is expected to be lower than usual.
He said that the low produce will also push up prices of the fruit. "We don't even have the status of a farmer. Neither is our crop insured, nor do we get any subsidy from the government on pesticides," he added.
