If the dry season continues till April, this year’s yield is expected to be around 12 lakh metric tonnes. Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
There is good news for mango lovers this season. After two ‘off’ years, barring any weather changes, this year could yield a good amount.
In the last two years, the quality and quantity of fruits have decreased due to unseasonal rains and scorching disease in the state. Last year it was around 7-8 lakh metric tonnes as against an average of 10-14 lakh metric tonnes.
According to senior officials of the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMDMCL), if the dry season continues till April, this year’s yield could be around 12 lakh metric tonnes.
important factors
Experts say that there are two factors that play an important role in mango flowering and fruit setting – soil moisture and night temperature. “If cool conditions occur, there is good flower initiation. So far this year, night temperatures have been falling and there has been no rain since December. If this weather pattern continues, it is expected to be an ‘on’ year for mangoes.
Usually, fruits from Ramanagaram district hit the markets first, but this year, rains in the first week of December hampered the onset of flowering and hence, mangoes from there would be available only till May. By the end of April, mangoes from other parts of the state like Kolar, Chikballapur districts will be ready for consumption. Centhura, Raspuri and Badami (Alphonso) varieties will be the first to be available.
good production
In Karnataka, mango is cultivated on about 1.60 lakh hectares of land and Kolar district accounts for about 50% of the total production in the state. With ease of transportation, varieties from other states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are also expected to hit the markets this year. While last year the prices were fluctuating between ₹100 and ₹200, this year, a good production could also mean that mangoes will be easier on consumers’ pockets.
The Mango Board is also hopeful about organizing the famous mango fair at Lalbagh on a grand scale this year if there is no spike in COVID-19 cases. By the first week of May, mangoes will also be available on KSMDMCL’s online portal Karsiri, where customers can directly order from farmers and get them delivered to their doorsteps through India Post.