Due to poor flowering in mango orchards, the mango-growers of the state have demanded government support to bail them out from the crisis. In a meeting of Mango Growers' Association of India (MGAI) on Tuesday, the members expressed apprehension the that the poor rate of fruit might lead to severe financial crisis.

AHMEDABAD/SURAT: Mango-lovers will have to dig deeper into their pockets this summer. Subdued winter coupled with the surprise showers and cyclone last weekend have spelt disaster for the Kesar mango crop in Talala. Mangoes from Valsad and Navsari are also expected to be bitter and costlier. Experts say the yield may be down by around 80 per cent this year.

NITIN PATH.
PUNE, MARCH 15

THE untimely showers on Friday that brought a breather from the soaring mercury has given rise to fears in Konkan region, including Ratnagiri district which is home to the famous Alphonso variety, that the rain may harm the mango crop.

Pune: Pune-Based entrepreneur Rajiv Devkar seems to have hit the jackpot in his quest to preserve mangoes without the use of cold storage facilities. Devkar experimented with honey, a natural preservative as an alternative, putting two alphonso mangoes in a jar of honey in May and found them well-preserved in December.

Rising global temperatures have quashed the hopes of thousands of farmers in Uttar Pradesh. While the trees have blossomed prematurely due to the climatic changes arising from high temperatures, farmers are now worried about the huge losses of the crop, which may occur if there is a subsequent dip in temperature.

Mango growers in the district are in upbeat mood as the trees have flowered densely, beyond expectation. Mulbagal, Chintamani and Srinivaspur are known for mango produce in the State.

The flowering usually occurs in December last week or January first week. However, the phenomenon has occurred this year in November itself. Mango growers attribute it to weather variation.

- New orchards planned in two districts to grow hybrid variety

ANKUSH SINGH

Farm fortune
Jamshedpur, Feb. 11: The forest department plans to exploit the mango-farming potential of East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan.

Malda, Feb. 10: Warm weather and dense fog over the past three weeks have left mango growers and exporters in Malda district worried as the fruit trees are yet to blossom fully.

The mango development officer of the state

Pune, Feb. 3 Last year, it was unseasonal rains, this year it is late flowering. Consumers will have to wait for a longer time to enjoy the king of fruits, Alphonso mango, this year.

Sharad Pawar There is good news for mango growers of Malihabadi in Uttar Pradesh. The National Horticulture Board will take steps to commercialise the world-famous mangoes of the place with their new Geographical Indicators (GI) status.

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