The rains that lashed northern Karnataka during April this year may have brought some respite to the people from the scorching heat. However, the same showers have dealt a severe blow to the mango lovers who were looking forward to tasting the various varieties of mangoes this season at an affordable price.
The ‘King of Fruits’ will not be available to the common man at affordable prices. The rains have played spoilsport as far as mangoes are concerned. Dharwad is known for its mango groves and nearly 12,000 hectares is under mango trees with a special breed ‘aapus’.
The raw mangoes have started to wither due to the recent hailstorm which lashed the rural areas. The farmers who had suffered crop losses due to drought-like situation were hoping that their loss would be made good by mango. However, the rains have dashed their hopes.
The first yield was expected in about 10 days. But, as the taluk had been hit by a hailstorm, almost 70 per cent of the crop has been damaged. The breed is unique as it flowers once in two years. Last year, the farmers did not get a good yield. Hence, they were expecting better yield this season.
The farmers, who grew mangoes in Mugad, Nigadi, Mavinkopp, Murkatti, and Salakinkopp region have complained of huge losses. However, the information from the Horticulture Department is completely different. The officials stated that due to hailstorm, only 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the fruits have been lost. But the farmers put the extent of the loss at 70 per cent.
“The mango plantation was given on contract for Rs 2 lakh, and even Rs 10,000 advance was taken. However, now the contractors are not willing to pay the promised amount as the yield has been damaged,” says Nagappa, a mango grower.
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“Dharwad is known for exporting the ‘aapus’ to the West and even Australia. But this time the exporters are finding it extremely difficult to meet the demand. Till last year, nearly 20,000 boxes of mango arrived in March,” said fruit vendor Javali.
The situation is not likely to ease and it is expected that by the middle of the season the wholesale price of six dozen mangoes, that was anywhere between Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 last year, will be around Rs 4,000.