The mango production in Uttar Pradesh is likely to dip this season as compared tolast year, which had witnessed bumper crop production of about 300,000 tonnes.
The state mango production this year is likely to dip by 25-30 per cent, according to horticulture experts. The mango belts in Uttar Pradesh include Lucknow (Lucknow, Malihabad, Bakshi-ka-Talaab), Saharanpur and Sambhal-Amroha-Muzaffarnagar districts.
Lucknow belt, which produces world famous Dussehri mangoes, alone comprises 30-40 per cent of the state’s annual mango production.
“Although, mango flowering has not yet started, the production will definitely be lesser than last year,” a senior Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) scientist told Business Standard. CISH is an Indian Council of Agricultural Research lab.
He said, mango trees had biennial bearing and a regular crop year was always followed by ‘shy bearing’.
During 2010, the total arrival of mango in the market from Lucknow region was roughly 87,000 tonnes. The corresponding figures for 2008 and 2009 stood at 52,000 tonnes and 34,000 tonnes, respectively.
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“The climate, which has seen sudden spurt in mercury levels, will help the mango crop, if there are no intermittent dips in temperature,” he added. Temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius is considered conducive for optimal mango crop.
Meanwhile, All India Mango Growers Association President Insram Ali also said the state mango production would be lower this year.
“A clear picture would emerge once flowering starts in mango trees. But, I am sure the production would be lower by 20-25 per cent,” he added.
Dussehri had earlier been registered under the Geographical Indication (GI) Act for its unique sweet taste and fragrance. Indian mango is exported to various Asian countries, including West Asia and South East Asia. Delhi is the biggest market for Uttar Pradesh mangoes, followed by Punjab. The fruit is transported to about 18 domestic destinations, besides Nepal.
Meanwhile, the scientist also suggested rejuvenation of mango plantations in the state to secure future levels of production. “Some mango plantations are 45 years old, which need rejuvenation to maintain production levels,” he maintained.