COVID keeps mango farmers’ hopes dangling

Chittoor district has its personal place in mango commerce by advantage of top quality and dimension of the fruit, suiting the requirement of each the pulp and desk varieties.

After preventing the primary wave of COVID-19 final 12 months with low yield, delayed harvest and hunch in exports, the mango growers are actually caught in a dilemma, with the prospects of exports to northern States and international international locations trying bleak owing to the raging second wave of the pandemic.

Full-fledged harvesting of the predominant “Thotapuri” number of mangoes in 80% of the acreage is all set to begin from the third week of May, projecting a two-week delay this 12 months. The season touches its peak in June and the curve will flatten by mid-July. The crop of the desk varieties such Benishan, Neelam, Rumania, Alphonso and Kalepadu are unfold over 20,000 hectares, in comparison with the ‘Thotapuri’ crop in about one lakh hectares.

Deputy Director (Horticulture) B. Srinivasulu advised The Puucho that the mango yield was anticipated to be round 4.5 lakh tonnes this 12 months, in comparison with 3.5 lakh tonnes final 12 months.

The official stated that the COVID second wave had its affect on the exports to the northern States. “Due to fear of COVID, traders are not willing to come here to purchase the stocks, particularly the table varieties. In order to help the farmers, we had conducted a virtual meeting with the stakeholders, including the railway authorities. If all goes well, a Kisan Rail might be launched to transport the mango consignments to the northern States. We are also planning to provide subsidies on transport to the farmers. In the first phase, it would be planned with a single wagon and the number might go up based on the requirement,” he stated.

“Coming to the ‘Thothapuri’ variety, which forms 80% of the crop, we have already given permits to about 26 pulp industries in Chittoor for procurement of the stocks, mostly from May-end. We have information that the pulp units are willing to take the maximum stocks this year,” Mr. Srinivasulu stated.

A senior official of the advertising wing stated that the mango season was a lot delayed this 12 months. Generally, the primary stage of harvesting commences within the first week of May. This 12 months, apart from the market yard at Tirupati, no buying and selling level elsewhere within the district was but to see arrivals.

The mango farmers in Chittoor division stated that as a result of pandemic, the prospects of exporting mangoes to international international locations weren’t vivid this 12 months. They felt that the forecast of a superb output was additionally lacking this season. Moreover, the officers stated that the yield in 2020 was 35%, whereas it was a meagre 20% in 2019.