Bengaluru residents usually welcome April and May with the arrival of the beloved king of fruits, mangoes. However, this year, the city is notably devoid of the usual mango frenzy.
Traditionally, these months witness streets lined with heaps of mangoes, bustling with vendors and eager buyers. Mango dishes hold a cherished place in households. However, the exorbitant prices have rendered mangoes unaffordable for many. While a kilogram of mangoes typically ranged from Rs. 60 to Rs. 120 during the fruit season, prices have now skyrocketed to Rs. 100 to Rs. 300.
The surge in prices has led to a significant decrease in both sellers and buyers. Despite Karnataka producing around 15 lakh tonnes of mangoes during peak season and 8 lakh tonnes during the low season, this year’s harvest faces substantial challenges.
SV Hittalamani, an expert in fruits and retired horticulture department officer, expressed concerns over the situation, noting that only a meager 30% yield is expected. He explained that extreme weather conditions have caused flowers and fruits to wither, resulting in almost failed crops in districts apart from Ramnagar.
Furthermore, the mangoes available in the market this year are smaller in size, and the quantity of delicious fruits is notably reduced. Farmers equipped with irrigation systems may salvage 20-30% of the crop if they protect the mangoes on the trees. However, without proper care, further losses are anticipated.
Managing Director of Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation, CG Nagaraj, attributed the poor harvest to the rain-fed nature of mango crops. With a halt in rainfall and increased dryness in the atmosphere, mango trees experienced excessive sunlight, leading to premature sprouting and subsequent fruit drop.
As Bengaluru grapples with this mango crisis, residents and farmers alike hope for better conditions in the coming seasons to revive the city’s mango fervor.
