10-15% drop anticipated in Hapus mango production

Unseasonal rains and hail storm over the past two to three days have dealt a severe blow to agriculture in the state, wreaking havoc on crops. The repercussions of this untimely weather has reached Konkan, a region renowned for its Hapus mangoes, with mango blossoms suffering significant damage. This unexpected development is anticipated to result in a 10 to 15 per cent decline in Hapus mango production this year, say farmers.

Konkan's famous hapus mangoes, also known as Alphonso mangoes, are now under threat due to the adverse weather conditions. The mango blossoms, which burst forth prematurely this year due to favourable environmental conditions, have borne the brunt of unseasonal rains. The untimely precipitation has led to an increase in the incidence of fungal diseases on the mangoes, causing the blossoms to turn black.

Farmers in Konkan, who had initially harboured hopes of a prosperous mango season, are now grappling with concerns over reduced yields. The impact on the mango crop is worrisome, and farmers fear a decline in production.

Sanket Pujare, a mango grower from Devgad, highlighted the increased susceptibility of mangoes to fungal diseases due to the unseasonal weather patterns, raising anxiety among farmers over the overall health of the crop.

As the agricultural community in Konkan assesses the extent of the damage caused by unseasonal rains, efforts are being made to mitigate the impact on Hapus mango production.

“The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the final outcome of this unexpected setback for mango growers in the region”, said Pujare.