Climate not lone factor for losses to mango growers

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Untimely rain and excess heat have been adversely impacting the mango yield in the State for several years. In a normal year, 14 lakh tonnes of yield is expected. But due to the withering of flowers between December and February and various other factors, the expectations of farmers had already dropped. City-based mango retailer Arif told News Trail that his income this season has reduced. As he is the breadwinner of his family of four, the dull season has been very difficult on them.

"Mango selling has not been profitable lately. Many of the mangoes go bad when there are no immediate takers," he said. Pointing to racks of mangoes, Arif said, the long wait for buyers was another reason for their loss in business this season. Doing business on the Jayamahal Road, another mango retailer said he has had a no-loss, no-profit season, but expenditures are always there. "If we do not earn well, how can we survive, and educate our children?" he said.

Another mango seller added that a few varieties are being sold at an average of Rs 50 per kilo, while the Mallika breed fetches up to Rs 150 per kilo. The seller said that there are no buyers for even Mallika this time. At the busy Shivajinagar market, Saiyad selling mangoes on the wheelbarrow, said that the mango growers and sellers had no proper income for the last five years.

"If production is good then heavy rain or inflation becomes a problem. In any case we continue to suffer, and we have no permanent customers either," One of the owners of Kempegowda Mango Farm, Anjanappa K, said the reasons for loss of income is the middlemen in the business. "Most of the quality fruit is exported. There are middlemen too who take about 40% of the revenue," she said.

Heavy rainfall alone is not the only reason for the loss of mango growers and sellers, she said while adding that the farmers must get trained to market their products. "Digital education to the farmers is an important part which can help them earn right value for their hard work," she said.