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Unseasonal rain effects mango production

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Himanshu Bhayani Mumbai/ Talala (Gir)
Last Updated : Feb 14 2013 | 8:59 PM IST
Despite less yield and scarcity of fruit, Kesar mangoes, cultivated and harvested in the Sorath province of Gujarat, are not making to the markets in a big way. Prices of Kesar mangoes has been dropping drastically from Rs 290 per 10 kg to Rs 40 per 10 kg.
 
The unfavourable stroke of nature in the first week of March this year had already washed away the hopes of mango cultivator in this area to encash on sub-standard products, as cultivation of mangos registered downscale by 20 to 25 per cent over previous year's yield.
 
"Due to the unexpected rains, flowers of mango fruits and raw mangoes had dropped down from the trees in huge quantum," said Narsi Nakrania, farmer from Borvav village. He added that it had disturbed the whole cycle of cultivation and sales of mangoes. "The rain has affected the size of fruit which is comparatively small this time and due to excessive heat, the fruit has shrink to an extent, losing the pulp-water balance," said Mahesh Karia, owner of mango farms in Junagadh.
 
"Thus the mangoes are more sour in taste and not worthy for consumption. The fruit has even ripens fast due to the excessive heat," he added. With the fall in the quantity, the rates of mangoes are always at an unbelievable heights, but on the contrary it is not the same with Kesar mangoes, despite less yield. "Mango cultivator have started supplying raw fruits, packed in boxes. As a result, taste of the fruit is not in accordance to the expectation of buyers, therefore, it is not much in demand," said Harsukh Jarsaniya, secretary of Talala Marketing Yard.
 
Climatic stroke has also affected other species of mangos like Badami mangoes which are destroyed completely, Gola mangoes production is almost negligible, Ratnagiri mangoes are out of market and Alfonsos are likely to be out of market very soon.
 
Generally, 40 per cent of the mangoes are sold through Marketing Yard and 60 per cent through the open markets.
 
"This year, the lowest rates registered in Kesar mangoes trade at Talala Marketing Yard till now ranges somewhere between Rs 40 and 170 per 10 kg and higher margin till now registered is between Rs 50 and 290 per 10 kg," Jarsania added.
 
This year nine to 11 lakh boxes are expected to be sold from the yard and between 16 and 18 lakh boxes from the open market, estimating a total turnover of business of about 27 lakh boxes.
 
"As far as pricing is considered, we are hopeful for Rs 200 per 10 kg on a higher side after May 25, which is lesser then our expectation, if the mangoes are of good quality," said Jarsaniya.
 
Currently, business of 80,000 boxes of mangoes is done on a daily basis by the mango merchants from across the state, out of which 30,000 boxes are traded through the Talala Marketing Yard and 50,000 boxes through the open markets.

 
 

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First Published: May 17 2006 | 12:00 AM IST

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