Rain, hail hit kesar production; Gujarat farmers fear 40% loss in yield

RAJKOT: Inclement weather that is dumping rain and hail in several parts of Saurashtra for the past 10-12 days has hit the kesar mango production in Junagadh, Gir-Somnath and Amreli districts.
While kesar mangoes have started trickling in the markets, farmers say there is a huge loss in the crop this year due to the climate change effect. The recent rain and hail have only added to the woes.

Farmers fear a loss of around 40% in these three districts, which grow maximum kesar mangoes. Last year they were hit by the cyclonic condition that prevailed around the time of fruiting and later the Covid-induced lockdown.
The production is likely to be low even as the area under kesar cultivation has increased to 25,000 hectares from 20,000 hectares a few years ago.
Gafoor Qureshi, a progressive mango farmer who grows several varieties in his orchard near Talala in Gir-Somnath district, said, “Last year, I got about 80 tonnes of kesar, but this year I don’t expect more than 30 tonnes. The average production in Junagadh and surrounding area is nearly 40% less compared to last year.”
Qureshi explained that all was good till the flowering stage in February and March, but thereafter many flowers did not convert into fruits due to climate chagne.
Tushar Dhameliya, who runs farmer producers organization (FPO) in Gir-Somnath and Junagadh districts, added, “The kesar production is expected to be just half compared to last year. Besides the weather, another reason is excessive use of pesticides by the farmers. Those doing organic farming are getting consistently good yield.”
Ukka Bhatti, a mango farmer in Dhari taluka of Amreli said, “I got eight tonnes yield last year, which will be down to just around 4 tonnes this season. The unseasonal rain and hail has completely destroyed the fruits on the trees.”
DK Varu, head of department of fruit science at Junagadh Agriculture University (JAU) said, “The flowering was good this year, but there was a huge dropping of flowers due to vagaries of weather.”
INSET
Tommy Atkins
adapts well
The Tommy Atkins variety, which has 75% less sugar compared to other mango varieties, has been successfully grown by Junagadh’s progressive farmer Vishal Gandecha. “From just one tree which took seven years to grow, I have 20 trees now and all are yielding fruits. This purple coloured mango is good for diabetics.”