The change in weather conditions and the cyclone in the past six to eight months have taken a toll on mango yield in Visakhapatnam district this year. According to an estimate, the production has fallen by more than 60% this season when compared to the average.
“It was Cyclone Phethai during December 2018, which hit mango crop severely. Unlike every year when the night temperatures are low in November and December, a favourable condition for the crop, the mercury levels kept mounting this year. And only 40% of the trees in the district have come to yield this time owing to this. More or less, the same scenario prevails in other parts of the State too,” says Anuradha, Assistant Director of Horticulture Department, while speaking to The Hindu.
Average acreage
Mango crop is grown in around 14,000 hectares in Visakhapatnam district, with Narsipatnam, Nakkapalle, Makavarapalem, and Padmanabham mandals being the major production hubs.
Officials say that mango crop in thousands of hectares in these areas too has been severely hit this year.
Visakhapatnam district produces a good variety of mangoes, especially Suvarna Rekha, Rasalu and a few others, which are exported to Odisha, West Bengal, Delhi and others places in the country.
‘No deficit’
“Last year too, mango production witness 20% to 30% drop. The situation is even worse this time as almost half of the crop has gone. On an average, a hectare of mango orchard produces about eight tonnes of fruits, but this year, the same is not more than two to three tonnes. In some cases, the yield has been put at four tonnes,” says N. Ramu, a farmer from Nakkapalle mandal. The slump in production, however, is not a hindrance for the consumers in Visakhapatnam district to have a taste of their favourite fruit, the officials say, adding that the exports to other States and countries have been hit. “There has been no increase in mango prices even though there is a low production. Export has been hit, but not local distribution. Moreover, we have been importing mangoes from Tuni and several other parts of East Godavari district,” says D.N.M. Raju, Estate Officer of Peda Waltair Rythu Bazaar.