The scorching summer brings with it sweet-smelling mangoes, but this year the king of fruits may seem like an indulgence for many as the price of the fruit has gone up by 50%.
Unexpected rains and outbreaks at the beginning of the year Mango Farmers at Mango Growing Center Salem say hoppers have affected yield Tamil Nadu, The district recorded only 10% to 15% yield till March, as against 30% last year. Neighboring Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, which are also known for their mangoes, also produce less in this season.
Seshachalam, a farmer from Varagampadi, said, “Mango hoppers are wreaking havoc on our fields. Despite being an organic farmer, I am forced to sprinkle insecticides on mango trees, but to no avail. I have spent around Rs. 5 lakh on pesticides so far. He said that several mango fields in Salem district are affected by the pest, and there has been no help from the officials of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department.
Another farmer R Raja said. “My expenditure for insecticides is Rs 10,000 per week. The mango hopper will eat the flower buds and emit a liquid that infects other parts of the tree as well,” said Raja. An official of the District Horticulture Department said that mango carts come every year. “We are asking farmers to use a mixture of pesticides.
An atmosphere of panic in the fields is spreading in the market. “After a lull due to COVID-19, we expected brisk business this year. But the unpredictable rains across the state have reduced the yield by 15%,” said S Umapathy, a wholesale mango trader from Salem.
The mango season usually starts from mid-March, but has been delayed due to change in weather patterns. According to traders, only 5 to 10 tonnes of mangoes are coming in the market daily, whereas earlier 50 tonnes of mangoes were coming.
President of Mango Growers and Traders Association A Jaipal said that the price per kg of Alphonso mango has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 150. “We have increased the price of Malgoa and Bangalore mangoes from Rs 120 per kg to Rs 200 per kg.
illegal cooking methods
Using chemical packets to ripen fruits is a violation of the Food Safety Act. Imprisonment is with or without fine. Calcium carbide is wrapped in small packets and placed between fruits. Ethylene pouches are kept under straws in packed boxes.
Naturally ripe mangoes sink in water, others float. Artificially ripe fruits have a uniform color. Artificially ripe fruits have a mild aroma, are not juicy and tender. Chemicals give the fruit color but taste No If the mango you buy isn’t tasty or firm enough, it’s probably been artificially ripened with calcium carbide. Earlier this week, around 200 kg of mangoes were confiscated and destroyed by food safety officials. “The vendors were asked to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and cases were registered against them for violating food safety norms,” said Chennai food safety officer Dr P Satheesh Kumar.
Use of chemicals for ripening fruits in market premises is not new. In 2021, more than eight tonnes of mangoes were destroyed in the market and about 60 traders were fined after registering cases with the DRO. Apart from mangoes, traders and vendors use harmful chemicals to ripen bananas, papayas and chikoo in summer.
Apart from the bad taste and quality, these mangoes can put you at risk of headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders, affect the nervous system, memory loss and cancer. Despite the ban on calcium carbide, the wholesale fruit and vegetable markets in Koyambedu have witnessed rush of chemically ripened, nicknamed, ‘spice’, fruits for the past few weeks. Some traders also use packets of ethylene in packed mangoes.
Unexpected rains and outbreaks at the beginning of the year Mango Farmers at Mango Growing Center Salem say hoppers have affected yield Tamil Nadu, The district recorded only 10% to 15% yield till March, as against 30% last year. Neighboring Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, which are also known for their mangoes, also produce less in this season.
Seshachalam, a farmer from Varagampadi, said, “Mango hoppers are wreaking havoc on our fields. Despite being an organic farmer, I am forced to sprinkle insecticides on mango trees, but to no avail. I have spent around Rs. 5 lakh on pesticides so far. He said that several mango fields in Salem district are affected by the pest, and there has been no help from the officials of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department.
Another farmer R Raja said. “My expenditure for insecticides is Rs 10,000 per week. The mango hopper will eat the flower buds and emit a liquid that infects other parts of the tree as well,” said Raja. An official of the District Horticulture Department said that mango carts come every year. “We are asking farmers to use a mixture of pesticides.
An atmosphere of panic in the fields is spreading in the market. “After a lull due to COVID-19, we expected brisk business this year. But the unpredictable rains across the state have reduced the yield by 15%,” said S Umapathy, a wholesale mango trader from Salem.
The mango season usually starts from mid-March, but has been delayed due to change in weather patterns. According to traders, only 5 to 10 tonnes of mangoes are coming in the market daily, whereas earlier 50 tonnes of mangoes were coming.
President of Mango Growers and Traders Association A Jaipal said that the price per kg of Alphonso mango has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 150. “We have increased the price of Malgoa and Bangalore mangoes from Rs 120 per kg to Rs 200 per kg.
illegal cooking methods
Using chemical packets to ripen fruits is a violation of the Food Safety Act. Imprisonment is with or without fine. Calcium carbide is wrapped in small packets and placed between fruits. Ethylene pouches are kept under straws in packed boxes.
Naturally ripe mangoes sink in water, others float. Artificially ripe fruits have a uniform color. Artificially ripe fruits have a mild aroma, are not juicy and tender. Chemicals give the fruit color but taste No If the mango you buy isn’t tasty or firm enough, it’s probably been artificially ripened with calcium carbide. Earlier this week, around 200 kg of mangoes were confiscated and destroyed by food safety officials. “The vendors were asked to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and cases were registered against them for violating food safety norms,” said Chennai food safety officer Dr P Satheesh Kumar.
Use of chemicals for ripening fruits in market premises is not new. In 2021, more than eight tonnes of mangoes were destroyed in the market and about 60 traders were fined after registering cases with the DRO. Apart from mangoes, traders and vendors use harmful chemicals to ripen bananas, papayas and chikoo in summer.
Apart from the bad taste and quality, these mangoes can put you at risk of headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders, affect the nervous system, memory loss and cancer. Despite the ban on calcium carbide, the wholesale fruit and vegetable markets in Koyambedu have witnessed rush of chemically ripened, nicknamed, ‘spice’, fruits for the past few weeks. Some traders also use packets of ethylene in packed mangoes.