VISAKHAPATNAM: The untimely rains, accompanied by strong gales, caused damage to the mango crop in parts of Manyam and many parts of Vizianagaram district, which is one of the largest producers of mango fruit in the state.
The officials of the horticulture department said that the farmers grow mangoes in over 35,000 hectares in Vizianagaram and Manyam districts. Most of the farmers have been growing Banginapalli variety for its demand in Odisha, Mumbai, Delhi, and few other parts of North India and abroad.
Though Vizianagaram is home for — Banginapalli, Suvarnarekha and Panukulu varieties of mango fruit, the demand for Banginapalli is more as it was considered a table variety fruit.
“We expected a good mango yield this season. But the thunderstorms and gales have been damaging our crops for the past one week. We have expected around 8 to 10 tonnes of yield per hectare but the unseasonal rains and gales have dashed our hopes and the yield will reduce by at least 20 to 30 per cent,” said R Naidu, a mango grower in Vizianagaram district.
The mango growers said that the unseasonal rains may lead to diseases to the mango and it further affect the quality of the fruit.
District horticulture officer, AVSV Jamadagni said drop of mango yield is likely in this season due to untimely rains. The rains and gales not only damaged mango crops but also standing banana crops, he added.
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