Mango growers in Chittoor district are desperately waiting for clarity over the possible yields in the face of inordinate delay in flowering and fructification in orchards, as the season ends in two months.
According to mango-growers forums, the crop is raised in about three lakh acres this year. Of this, one lakh acres are yet to see full-fledged flowering, while another one lakh has seen fruit with considerable size, and the fate of the rest stands in a dilemma.
Officials of the Horticulture Department said that by February, the mango orchards in Chittoor ought to see full flowering, and the fructification should start from March-end, with a complete picture of the season clear by April first week. The business would be in full swing from April till the end of June.
Some parts of the Nagari Assembly Constituency are now ready with the first crop pattern. Mango growers from Vijayapuram and Nindra mandals said they are at present taking their stocks to the Koyambedu market in Chennai. “While the stock dispatched in gunny sacks get ₹30 a kg for the Bengulra variety, the same is fetching ₹35 for the tray variety,” said Ammulamma, a woman farmer.
No guidance
Kothur Babu, a mango farmer and general secretary of the Federation of Indian Farmers Association, from Chittoor mandal deplored that there was absolutely no guidance from the Horticulture Department and scientists from various research centers and colleges in the State on the problems faced by the mango growers, with pests attacking the mango crop.
“During the last two months, the mango farmers are facing the issue of pests, impacting the fruit. Though we spray pesticides and fungicides, we are not able to give exact treatment to the fruit damage. This year, the yield in Chittoor would be below 25%, the lowest ever in three decades,” he said.
4-hour power supply
Another major demand from the mango growers is that they want an eight-hour power supply for the next two months. “Now, we are getting power for only four hours, that too with many interruptions. Actually we hardly get three hours of supply. Due to heat-wave-like conditions, the mango trees need a lot of water and moisture. In the absence of this, the fruit will start withering and drop-down immaturely,” Mr. Babu said.
