Tamil Nadu   

Drought delays mango season

By S. Prasad

KRISHNAGIRI, APRIL 30. The acute drought prevailing in the district has resulted in a delay in the mango season, affecting the crop with an expected yield of only 30 per cent compared to the previous year.

Krishnagiri district accounts for more than over 30 per cent of the total mango production in the State with a cultivable land of 31,000 hectares at Kaveripattinam, Bargur, Shoolagiri, Tali and Uthangarai. Farmers expect a total produce of only 35,000-40,000 metric tonnes this year compared to the previous year. The other mango producing districts of Salem and Dharmapuri face the same problems with an expected harvest of 4,000 and 7,000 metric tonnes respectively. However, farmers are hopeful of obtaining a good price owing to the reduced yield.

According to horticultural experts, ``flowering was good but due to lack of rains and a reeling drought flowers have withered taking its toll on the crop.'' The average yield per hectare is estimated to be nine tonnes per hectare with Thothapuri mangoes alone accounting for nearly 60 per cent of the total produce followed by Alphonsa with 10 per cent. Senthura, Panganapalli and Himam Pasand account for the remaining 30 per cent.

Prices of Alphonsa and Himam Pasand have increased two-fold. Alphonsa is expected to sell at Rs. 20,000-25,000 per metric tonne followed by Senthura at Rs. 8,000 per metric tonne. Many farmers say that though there is a reduced yield they might fetch a good price due to the quality of the mangoes.

The horticultural experts point out that the pulp industries too might get affected owing to the low harvest. Only export varieties such as Alphonsa and Himam Pasand are used in pulp units for their juicy content but now the units have to depend on other sources from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Workers are employed in the pulp industry for four-five months but they will be employed for only two months, said the experts.

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