Relaxation in norms helps mango biz

Kolhapur: The relaxation in transport norms by state government during the ongoing lockdown has brought back smiles on the faces of the mango farmers.Though farmers are claiming that they are selling their produce at loss, they are happy that they are at least able to clear their stock.Anand Desai, a farmer based in Ratnagiri, said, “Since last one week we are able to transport mangoes to various parts of the state including Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur and other important markets. The trucks and tempos are queued up outside the orchards of mango producers in Ratnagiri for transporting mangoes.”He added, “When lockdown was imposed we were worried about how we will clear our stock. We had predicted heavy losses if the government did not grant any relief in transportation of mangoes. We are happy that we are now able to fill the gap of demand and supply of mangoes.”Desia said that owing to the lockdown they have slashed the prices of mangoes by 50% as compared to the last year. Nandkumar Walanju, a city-based trader, said the supply of mangoes to Kolhapur has increased. “The district is receiving different varieties of mangoes including Ratnagiri Hapus, Payari, Lalbag, Totapuri, Madras Hapus, Madras Payari, among other varieties of mangoes from South Indian towns. We are also able to sell all these mangoes arriving in the market,” he said.