Senior Agri Official: Mango output is set to increase by 14% this year, despite heat waves
- Apr 04, 2024 05:19 am
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In an official announcement, The Ministry of External Affairs stated that, "People who are living in Arunachal Pradesh thoroughly get numerous benefits from India's development plans and construction projects."
In 2024: India may produce about 14% more mangoes
India may produce about 14% more mangoes this year, reaching 24 million tonnes, according to T Damodaran, the Director of ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture.
He mentioned that, “Even though the India Meteorological Department predicts harsher heat waves in April-May, it might not affect mango production much if farmers manage irrigation well during May to prevent excessive fruit dropping.”
Harsh heat waves are expected in many parts of India:
The Meteorological Department forecasts longer heat waves this summer, lasting between 10 to 20 days instead of the usual 2 to 4 days.
These harsh heat waves are expected in many parts of India, including the south peninsula, central India, east India, and the plains of northwest India.
According to Damodaran:
Damodaran explained that, “The flowering process of mangoes, which is crucial for fruit setting, is almost complete due to favorable weather conditions.”
Pollination is normal, and fruits have started forming. He believes that while normal heat waves may not directly affect mango yields, they could indirectly benefit the crop.
Many parts of India, like the south peninsula, central India, east India, and plains of northwest India, are likely to experience more heatwaves than usual.
Normal heatwaves might not directly harm the amount of mangoes:
Mango flowering is very important for making fruits. Almost all mango trees have finished flowering. Pollination is normal, and fruits are starting to grow.
Normal heatwaves might not directly harm the amount of mangoes produced, but they might indirectly help the crop.
The total amount of mangoes produced could increase to 24 million tones: In the 2023-24 crop year
Right now, it looks like the mango crop will be good. The total amount of mangoes produced could increase to 24 million tonnes in the 2023-24 crop year (July-June), compared to 21 million tonnes in 2022-23.
Last year, the southern states had a 15% loss because of unusual weather. Mango is a very important fruit in India and is known as the 'King of Fruits'.
India makes 42% of all mangoes worldwide:
India makes a lot of mangoes, almost 42% of all mangoes worldwide. According to Mr. Damodaran, the weather affects how mango trees flower and make fruits.
In case of hotter than usual weather, farmers should water their fields a little to avoid the soil drying out too much.
This can help prevent too many fruits from falling off the trees. Farmers should also watch out for pests, especially thrips insects, in areas where mangoes are grown in the northern plains.
According to Damodaran:
Damodaran mentioned that, “There are a lot more thrips insects in many mango orchards now. These thrips insects move from the flowers to the newly forming fruits in search of food.”
To protect the crop, farmers can quickly spray insecticides like Imidacloprid (4 milliliters per liter of water) or Thiamethaxam (0.4 gram per liter of water).
Farmers need to protect them from pests:
Some mango trees have new leaves along with flowers. Since these leaves are soft, farmers need to protect them from pests like Semilooper by using Lambdacyhalothrin (0.5 ml per liter of water) along with the insecticides mentioned earlier.
If flowers are still opening, spraying can be delayed for 2-3 days. Additionally, if farmers haven't sprayed Hexacanazole (2 grams per liter of water) to control Powdery Mildew disease, they should mix it with the above spray.