Mangoes may be out of reach of 'aam aadmi' this year

Mango production in Uttar Pradesh is likely to see a 65 per cent drop this year due to frequent dust storms that have hit the crop hard and the king of fruits is likely to come at a royal price this year.

Mango growers estimate that the production could be just 15 lakh metric tonnes this year as compared to 44 lakh metric tonnes last year.

"Last year there was a record 44 lakh metric tonne production in the state. But this time, the situation is grim as production is likely to see a 65 per cent decline," All India Mango Growers' Association (AIMGA) President Insram Ali told PTI.

He said the maximum yield this year in the state, considered the country's mango bowl, could be just 15 lakh metric tonnes.

The reason behind the poor output is "strong humid winds" due to which mango growers had to double pesticide sprinkling to save the trees from pests, he said, adding dust storms made the scenario more bleak for the growers.

"Due to decline in production, the price of mangoes are likely to be high this time making it out of reach of the common man," he said.

In Uttar Pradesh, mango is produced in an area of 2.5 lakh hectares. Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Allahabad, Bulandshahar, Saharanpur, Faizabad, Varanasi, Moradabad, Barabanki, Meerut, Unnao, Sitapur, Hardoi, Gorakhpur, Basti, JP Nagar and Mathura are the major mango producing belts in the state.

Popular varieties like chausa, dusheri, fazli, gulab khas, langra, mallika and amrapali are produced in the state.

Due to the anticipated poor production, the AIMGA has demanded that mango be covered under the prime minister's crop insurance scheme.

"The state government has started waiving loans of farmers but no such arrangement has been done for mango growers. We have written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to give mango growers the status of farmers," Insram said.

"We have also demanded inclusion of mangoes in the PM crop insurance scheme to protect us from onslaught of nature and crop loss," he said.

He said mango growers this year have to suffer heavy losses due to which it is going to be a difficult time for them. AIMGA should be given more powers and its representatives should be included in various committees to voice the grievances of mango cultivators, he said.

Due to bumper produce last year, juicy mangoes were in the reach of the common man and the rates hovered between Rs 20 and 40 a kg.