mangoes and cashews

As Maharashtra's Konkan mango belt stares at whopping 90% loss, farmers say the warning signs were evident the past few years, ranging from intense heatwaves to long winters

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An experts' committee will draw up a plan to prevent damage to mango and cashew crops during the next season.

Call it a twist of fate if you will but horticulturists of north coastal Andhra left mourning the damage caused to their mango plantations by Cyclone Hudhud, have been left surprised by the profuse flowering of cashew in all the three districts.

After a washout last year, mango and cashew growers are upbeat about their prospects this season thanks to the good monsoons last year and the timely onset of warmer temperatures ahead of the flowering season.

The orchard owners and lease holders of the district are in a good mood, especially after the demoralising effect of demonetisation. This is because their mango and cashew orchards are in full bloom.

Owing to unseasonal rainfall over the last weekend, the mango and cashew crop flowering process seems to have been affected showing possibility of a delayed fruiting season for either of the crops.

While the astringent odour of freshly purchased cashew apples is filling up people’s homes, the season looks bleak for mangoes. Climatic changes have led to erratic flowering of the mango crop this season owing to which fruits are not likely to bear abundantly.

With last year's monsoon conditions favouring cashew and mango crops in the region, they are hoping to reap a bumper harvest this year.

Goa's mango and cashew crops are facing declining yields due to climate change, threatening farmers' livelihoods. Erratic weather patterns disrupt flowering cycles, impacting fertility and production. Some farmers are experiencing significant income losses, with some contemplating exiting the sector. Rising operational costs, coupled with limited government support, exacerbate the challenges faced by Goa's agricultural community, pushing them towards unsustainable losses.