Adverse climate deals heavy blow to mango farmers in North AP

Visakhapatnam: Mango growers across the north Andhra Pradesh region are staring at heavy losses this season as erratic weather conditions have reduced the crop by over 60 per cent compared to normal yield. Spread across nearly 50,000 hectares, mango cultivation in north Andhra — covering Vizianagaram, Anakapalle, Srikakulam and Parvathipuram Manyam districts — has been severely impacted. Popular mango varieties such as Suvarnarekha, Banginapalli, Cherukurasalu, Paria and Panukulu, which are exported to various parts of the country, have been hit hard. Suvarnarekha remains one of the most sought-after varieties due to its juiciness and sweetness. Farmers were hopeful of good returns when orchards flowered in Jan this year. However, as the harvest season approaches, they now estimate only 20 to 30 per cent of normal yield. A large extent of the crop was damaged during the flowering and pod formation stages due to heavy fog and dew in January and February. The recent spell of adverse weather, including unseasonal rains and strong winds in parts of north Andhra Pradesh, has further dampened the prospects of mango farmers. Vizianagaram district, one of the leading mango-producing regions in the state with an average yield of 6 to 8 tonnes per hectare, has also been affected this year due to pests and weather-related issues. Farmers are now expecting only 2 to 3 tonnes per hectare, said M Srinu, a mango farmer from the district.Farmers said they have been incurring losses for the past two years due to repeated weather disruptions. While farmers spend at least Rs 50,000 per acre on irrigation, maintenance and pest control, their returns are limited to just Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000. The drop in production has also pushed prices upward. Mango lovers are shelling out more this summer, with Banginapalli selling at around Rs 300 per kg, while Chinna Rasalu is priced at over Rs 400 per kg, said M Radha, a mango lover from Visakhapatnam. Deputy director of Horticulture, Vizianagaram K Chittibabu said mango growers witnessed a dip in yield last year and again this season due to erratic weather and disease outbreaks. He suggested the use of mango covers as a cost-effective measure, as they act as a protective sheath against fruit flies, borers and other external threats.