Bad Weather Hampers Mango Production in Uttar Pradesh, Affects Quality and Prices

Uttar Pradesh, a state known for producing some of the best mangoes in India, is facing a major crisis this year. Due to unseasonal and extreme weather conditions, more than half of the mango crop in the state has been wasted, resulting in a surge in prices.

The crisis began with the onset of blossoms in the mango orchards. In February and March, strong sunlight affected the blossoms, followed by heavy rains and hailstorms in March that caused significant damage. According to the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), 25 percent of the mango crop in the state and 35 percent in the Malihabad-Kakori fruit belt area have been damaged due to rain.

Shabihul Hasan, a gardener from Malihabad’s famous Nafees nursery, said that 25-30 percent of the flowers were destroyed due to the heat of February-March and the rest was ruined by subsequent rains. The bad weather has also led to black fungus disease striking the mango trees, further destroying more than half of the crop. The insecticide sprayed on the trees was also washed away due to the rain, giving the disease a chance to flourish.

Mangoes like Dussehri, Lucknowwa, Chausa, and Langra have been the most affected by the bad weather. According to experts, the heavy rains and storms have caused a significant loss in the fruit belt area of Malihabad-Kakori, Lucknow, and other districts. The team formed to take stock of the loss in eight major mango producing districts has estimated a maximum loss of 35 percent in Lucknow and 20 to 25 percent in other places.

The state of Uttar Pradesh is responsible for about 23 percent of the total mango production in India. The state produces some of the best mangoes like Dussehri in Kakori-Malihabad, Dussehri-Safeda in Saharanpur, Langda-Chausa in Banaras, and Kapuri in the eastern districts. According to an estimate, there are 27 lakh hectares of mango plantations in the state, and 45 lakh tonnes are produced in the normal season.

However, this year’s mango season is expected to be difficult due to the significant loss caused by bad weather. Gardeners in the state are estimating that the price of mangoes will be much higher than in the past several years, making it out of reach for the common people. As a result, only a few will have access to the delicious taste of UP mangoes this year.

In conclusion, the state of Uttar Pradesh is facing a major crisis this year due to unseasonal and extreme weather conditions. The loss of more than half of the mango crop has resulted in a surge in prices, making it out of reach for the common people. This year’s mango season is expected to be difficult, and it is likely that only a few will have access to the delicious taste of UP mangoes.