After hitting a rough patch last year, there may be a bumper mango production this year, say experts. Though figures on crop production vary, experts are unanimous that major mango producers like UP, Gujarat and Maharashtra will reap the bounty this year.
Experts forsee 50% rise in mango production at 2 crore tonne, compared to average of 1.2 crore tonne.
The climate build up till now has been favourable and if all goes well then Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat may see good harvest.
India is the largest producer of the King of Fruits, thanks to its tropical climate and it accounts for 16 lakh hectare cultivation or roughly half of the total world's total area under mango cultivation. Mexico, China, Philippines and African countries are other major producers of the fruit. There are 30 main varieties under cultivation in India, chiefly Dashehari, Alphonso, Kesar, Banganpalli and Langda.
Talking to ET, K P Kikani, President, Gujarat Horticulture Development Council, Anand, said, "I have learnt that the crop is developing well in Uttar Pradesh and it may see bumper crop this year."
Gujarat too, which is the fourth largest producer in the country, expects good production.
"Due to sustained favourable climate, mango trees are seeing good fruition. We have seen extended flowering this season as there were lesser temperature fluctuations during the winter," said Nitin Shah, research scientist (Horticulture) at Paria Farm, Navsari Agriculture University.
"We have witnessed some damage in the last few days in South Gujarat due to unseasonal rain but it won't have a lasting effect. In fact, we expect double the production seen last season," he added.
Gujarat contributes around 7% of the country's mango production. It covers 1.2 lakh hectare area under the crop while average production in the state is 10 lakh tonne per annum.
"As per my estimate, we will see bumper crop this year. If good conditions prevail, Gujarat may see 15-20 lakh tonne production this season," said Kikani. A good harvest of mango requires proper summer build up with clear skies. "We have not seen cloudy conditions this year and it may turn out to be favourable," Kikani added.
Compared to 11.20 lakh tonne production during 2007-08, last year(2008-09) saw production of just 2.99 lakh tonne, as per statistics of the state agriculture directorate. Kutch, Junagadh and South Gujarat are the main mango pockets in the state.
However, all is not well down South. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, two major mango producers in the region, are seeing delayed flowering. This may see a dip of 40-50% in production, according to YTN Reddy, Principle Scientist at Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Bengaluru.
Source: The Economic Times