Kesar Mangoes Keri Talala Junagadh District - કેસર કેરીની સિઝન માત્ર એક મહિનો જ ચાલશે

Junagadh District Agricultural News for Kesar Mangoes 2011:-

ગયા વર્ષની સિઝનમાં ૧૫ લાખ બોકસ કેરીની આવક હતી જે ચાલુ વર્ષે ૪ થી ૫ લાખ થવાની સંભાવના.

સૌરાષ્ટ્રના મહત્ત્વના કેસર કેરીના ઊત્પાદક પ્રદેશો જેવા કે તલાલા, વંથલી, મદરડા અને ઉનામાં પ્રતિકૂળ હવામાનના કારણે આંબા પર મોર બેસવાની પ્રક્રિયા મોડી થઇ હતી.

તલાલા એગ્રીકલ્ચરલ પ્રોડ્યૂસ માર્કેટ કમિટિએ મહિનાના પ્રથમ અઠવાડિયામાં કેસર કેરીની હરાજી શરૂ કરશે. તે સાથે જ કેસર કેરીનો પુરવઠો વધવાની શકયતા છે. આ વર્ષે પ્રતિકૂળ હવામાન અને બ્લોસમ મિજ જેવી ઈયળના ઊપદ્રવના કારણે કેરીના ઊત્પાદનમાં ૭૫ ટકા જેટલો ધડાકો થવાની સંભાવના વ્યકત કરાઇ છે ત્યારે વેપારીઓ માને છે કે મોડી શરૂ થયેલી કેરીની સિઝન એક મહિનો જ ચાલશે.

સામાન્ય રીતે કેરીના ઊત્પાદનમાં સૌરાષ્ટ્રના પ્રદેશમાં નવેમ્બર-ડિસેમ્બર માસમાં આંબા પર મોર બેસવાની શરૂઆત થાય છે પરંતુ આ વર્ષે જાન્યુઆરી મહિનામાં ફલાવરગ શરૂ થયું હતું. જેના કારણે સિઝનની શરૂઆત મે મહિના સુધી ખચાઇ છે.

આંબા પર મોર આવ્યા બાદ ફળ પાકવામાં મુશ્કેલી જોવા મળી હતી અને તેના કારણે ઊત્પાદનમાં ઘટાડો થયો છે. ગયા વર્ષે તલાલા એપીએમસીએ ૬ એપ્રિલના રોજ કેસર કેરીની હરાજી શરૂ કરી હતી અને ત્રણ મહિના લાંબી સિઝનમાં ૧૫ લાખ બોકસ મેળવ્યા હતા.

આ વર્ષે કેસર કેરીના ઊત્પાદનમાં ૭૦ થી ૭૫ ટકા ઘટાડો થશે અને મોડી શરૂ થઇ રહેલી કેરીની સિઝન એક માસ જેટલી જ ચાલશે.

છેલ્લા ત્રણ વર્ષમાં કેરીના ઊત્પાદન સામે ચાલુ વર્ષે કેરીનું ઊત્પાદન સૌથી ઓછું રહેશે. ૨૦૦૯ની સિઝનમાં ૬.૨૫ લાખ જેટલા બોકસ ૧૦ કિલો વજનવાળાની આવક મેળવી હતી. જયારે ગયા વર્ષે ૧૫ લાખ બોકસ આવક હતી. જયારે ચાલુ વર્ષે ૪ થી ૫ લાખ બોકસ કેરીની આવક એપીએમસી માર્કેટમાં થવાની સંભાવના છે.

Kesar Mangoes Saurashtra - પાક નિષ્ફળ જતાખેડૂતો મુશ્કેલીમાં

ખેડૂતો પાક ધિરાણના વ્યાજમાં રાહત આપવા સહિતની સહાય માંગી રહ્યાં છે. પ્રતિકૂળ આબોહવાના પરિણામે મ્હોર ખરી જતા કેરીનું ૭૦ થી ૭૫ ટકા ઊત્પાદન ઘટ્યું.

તલાલા પંથકની સુપ્રિસિદ્ધ કેસર કેરીનો મોટાભાગનો પાક સાનુકૂળ આબોહવાના અભાવે નિષ્ફળ જતાં આ વિસ્તારના બાગાયત ખેડૂતો દયાજનક પરિસ્થિતિમાં મુકાયા છે.

આ સ્થિતિમાં કેસર કેરીનો પાક ઊતારતા ખેડૂતો પાયમાલ થતા ખેડૂતો પાક ધિરાણના વ્યાજમાં રાહત આપવા સહિતની સહાય માંગી રહ્યાં છે.

ગીરપંથકમાં કેસર કેરીના બગીચાઓમાં આંબા ઊપર શરૂઆતમાં ખૂબજ મોર આવ્યા છતાં આંબા ઊપર મોરના જંગી જથ્થાને કારણે આંબાના પાંદડા દેખાતા બંધ થઇ ગયા હતા. જેના કારણે કિસાનોને કેસરકેરીનો
વિપુલ પાક ઊતરવાની આશા બંધાઇ હતી પરંતુ આંબા ઊપર મોર આવ્યા બાદ સાનુકૂળ આબોહવાને અભાવે જે બંધારણ થવુ જોઇએ એ થયું નહ જે બંધારણ થયું તે ગોટલી વગરનું ખાટું બંધારણ થયું જે ધીમે-ધીમે આંબા ઊપરથી ખરવા લાગ્યું હતું.

પરિણામે કેસર કેરીનો ૭૦ થી ૭૫ ટકા જેટલો પાક નિષ્ફળ ગયો છે. જેના કારણે આ ગીરપંથક બાગાયત કિસાનો કફોડી સ્થિતિમાં મૂકાયા છે.

અત્રે ઊલ્લેખનીય બાબત એ છે કે ગયા વર્ષે તલાલા પંથકમાં ૫૦ લાખથી પણ વધારે કેસર કેરીના બોકસનું ઊત્પાદન થયું હતું. આ ઊપરાંત અંદાજે ૩૫ થી ૪૦ લાખ કેસર કેરીના બોકસ સૌરાષ્ટ્ર અને ગુજરાતના વિવિધ માર્કેટગ યાર્ડો તથા કેનગ પ્લાન અને ફ્રૂટ માર્કેટમાં વેચાયા હતા.

તલાલા પંથકમાં ગત વર્ષે અંદાજે ૯૦ થી ૧૦૦ કરોડ રૂપિયાનો કેસર કેરીના વેચાણનો અંદાજ વ્યકત કરાયો હતો. જે આ વર્ષે કેરીના પાકના ઘટાડાના કારણે ખેડૂતોને ભારે નુકસાન સહન કરવું પડે તેવી સ્થિતિ સર્જાઇ છે.

Kesar Mango Keri – The real taste of Mango

With a rich haul of Kesar mangoes, the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation has decided to brand the fruit nationally. Production of the fruit is estimated to cross 10 lakh tonnes this season.

The Junagadh Agriculture University and the GAIC have estimated the production of Kesar at 10 lakh tonnes, which is more than three times the production registered last year.
The Corporation is also planning to certify naturally ripened Kesar mangoes and build Brand Kesar to market the fruit nationally as well as internationally.

As part of the Corporation’s efforts to distribute the fruit nationally, 50,000 boxes of Kesar will be transported to the Delhi Haat for display and sale.

“The sale of Kesar Keri is the highest in Ahmedabad City. People in Delhi are hardly aware of the taste of the mango. An effort will be made to popularize the fruit by encouraging people to taste the fruit. No one can resist the taste. We are confident that they will keep coming back for more,” said D Thara, Managing Director of the GAIC.

The GAIC is also in touch with the National Horticulture Board Gurgaon. The Board has tie-ups with several malls in Delhi. The mangoes will be distributed through these malls.
Once the fruit gains popularity in Delhi, it will be then distributed across six major cities including Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata.

Thara said that to get certification, the fruits will have to meet the standards prescribed for organic mangoes.

The managing director said the production of mango has been good due to good weather. “We have decided to export Kesar Mangoes in a big way.

We have invited the opinion of traders regarding possible markets where the fruits can be sold. We have a rich tradition to live up to. Gujarat will turn 50 on May 1 but the Kesar is 75 years old. We will celebrate its diamond jubilee with passion.”

Kesar Mango Talala Gir Junagadh District News Gujarat India

A Major mango feast is in the offing for fruit lovers in the region due to an early arrival of the Kesar Keri variety coupled with a bumper crop this season.

This year’s first auction of the fruit began at the Talala Marketing Yard on Tuesday (April 6), which is generally held in May.

According to experts, the season is likely to last till June and rates may also come down as the yield is reported to be 15 per cent more than the last two years.

On the first day of the auction, 8,400 boxes (each weighing 10 kg) arrived from various villages in the Gir region of Junagadh district.

The minimum rate for 10 kg was Rs 150 — nearly Rs 100 less than the previous year. Sadarsinh Chauhan, a member of the Talala Marketing Yard, said: “The weather was perfect this time, as a result of which the fruit has arrived early and in a large quantity. The first lot has arrived with that of hafoos.”

Last season, the marketing yard had auctioned over six lakh boxes, which is expected to increase significantly this year. “Initial trend indicates there will be 15 per cent more yield this season. On the first day itself there were 300 more boxes,” said yard chairman Chagan Kansagra.

Kesar Keri Talala Junagadh Amreli District News Gujarat India

Is the only agriculture product from Gujarat to get registered with Geographical Indication Registry?

Alike Darjeeling tea or Solapar chaddar, Kesar mango from Talala Gir will soon have its own identity.

The luscious fruit is all set for registration with the Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) of India, which conveys assurance of quality and distinctiveness — essentially attributed to the place of its origin in a defined geographical locality.

Kesar mango will be the first agricultural produce from Gujarat and the second mango variety in India (Dussheri from Uttar Pradesh being the first), to get this registration. Post-registration, villagers in a total of eight talukas across Junagadh Districts and Amreli districts in the periphery of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary will be able to reap the benefits of added value attached to their produce. Talala, Keshod, Vanthali, Una, Kodinar and Mangrol talukas are the main centers for Kesar in Junagadh district, while for Amreli; the centers are Dhari and Khambha.

Kesar Mango cultivation in Gir started about a century ago. In the past 100 years, the region has emerged as the hub of this fruit. Namely, the Gujarat government will bear all the registration charges for which the preparations are in the final stages by the Junagadh Agriculture University (JAU), with the help of the Agriculture Market Produce Yards of the various centers.

Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) has been preparing a presentation with scientific documents, mainly on the origin and characteristics of the fruit, such as its nutrient value, flavor, size, shape and color. APMCs across the two districts will do the registrations for the farmers.

Only registered farmers can avail the benefits. Once GIR, located at Chennai, gives the go-ahead to the presentation, JAU will work on the logo for Kesar Keri. Only cultivators from the eight talukas of Gir will be able to use the logo, which will add value to their product. “The GI will give an edge to the cultivators. It can get the fruit recognition and quality assurance, which will result in better returns to the farmers through export in other states as well as the international market. Presentation papers are in the final stages,” said a senior JAU official. Kesar is among the most expensive varieties of mangoes. Valjibhai Patel, a cultivator from Talala in Junagadh district, said: “Many a times, a regular variety has been sold in the market in the name of Kesar.

But the registration will assure that there are no duplications. This will boost our chances of export.” So far, Gujarat has obtained registration for furniture from Sankheda, agates from Cambay, Kutch embroidery and Tangaliya shawls.

Kesar Mangoes Keri Talala Junagadh District News Gujarat India

In 1920, Gordhanbhai Sanghani was the first farmer to cultivate the Kesar Keri Variety in Talala town in Junagadh district, which is now known as the hub of one of the juiciest varieties of Kesar mangoes. Around a century later, his grandson Dayabhai has departed from the tradition and has begun cultivating cashewnuts — soon to be followed by other farmers.

Given the fact that this dry fruit fetches better returns than mangoes — with almost nil maintenance — it is fast catching up the attention of the other farmers. Little wonder, the land of juicy mangoes will soon be yielding cashew nuts.

“I have grown cashewnuts on 15 bighas and expecting the first yield. I plan to increase the cultivation area by 100 bighas,” said Dayabhai.

Jasmat Rola from Dhavagir village in Talala Taluka, has a similar story to tell. “I have grown cashewnut on 15 bigha that had turned almost barren. I got 600 saplings from the Konkan University,” he said.

Rola said many farmers have approached him for saplings and have decided to try the alternative to the kesar crop. “We at the Talala Marketing Yard are thinking seriously to set a systematic channel for marketing cashewnuts,” said Sardarsinh Chauhan, a member of the Talala Marketing Yard.

An official at the district horticulture department said the trend is picking up, but the crop cultivation is in the initial stage. The cashew trees yield fruits 10 years after the saplings are planted.

It was the frequent failure of the Kesar crop that forced the Talala farmers to look for an alternative.

“For more than a decade now, every alternate season, the mango cultivators have been facing problem of scanty yield due to unfavorable climatic conditions like less rains, unseasonal downpour or short winter season. Besides, maintaining a mango farm is an expensive affair. All these factors have forced farmers to look for other options,” said Chauhan.

“Growing cashew nuts is very different. The crop does not need plenty of water. Moreover, excessive heat or short winters do not affect it,” said Dayabhai.

But, cashew nuts cannot be an alternative for small-time farmers. “One needs to wait for at least 8 to 10 years to get the first yield. On the other hand, it can be cultivated even on barren type of land,” said Rola. Once the yield begins, a cultivator can expect at least 20 kg of cashew nuts per tree per season. As many as 40 trees can be grown on a bigha without much irrigation or use of pesticides or fertilizers.

Cashew nuts are not a regular crop in the state except in some parts of south Gujarat.

Kesar Mango Keri Talala Junagadh District News Gujarat India

Unlike last year, when poor flowering of mango trees had reduced the fruit’s crop in the state, growers in Gujarat are expecting a bumper mango crop this summer. The flowering season of mango trees is at its peak and, according to horticulturists, mango trees in the state have flowered satisfactorily. In fact, the flowering has been so timely that nearly 80% of the crop has already started budding.

Kesar Mango growers are confident that even if the weather turns hostile for a short period, the size and quality of the crop will not be adversely affected. Last year, bad weather had spoiled the prospects of the mango crop from the very beginning, making the fruit very expensive for ordinary people.

“As nearly 80% of the flowering has already taken place, we believe we will have a good mango crop this year,” said DP Patel, a horticulture officer in Valsad. It is worth mentioning that Valsad City is the heartland of Alphonso (Hafoos) production. Alphonso is the most sought after mango variety of the state.

Mango growers, however, say that the first two weeks of February will be very crucial. If the weather does not deteriorate, mangoes will be available this year in abundance and at affordable prices.

Ajit Desai is chairman managing director of Desai Fruits and Vegetables, a leading fruit exporter of Navsari. He said the problem with the mango crop last year started with the flowering.

“There was only 20% to 25% flowering last year,” he said “But this time it looks normal. Therefore, we expect the volume and quality of the mango crop this year to be fine.” Desai, too, said that everything depends on the weather conditions in the next 2-3 weeks.

“The crop of the local and exotic varieties of mangoes in the state will also be good this summer,” said MC Varshneya, vice-chancellor of Anand Agricultural University. “Good weather conditions for the mango crop prevailed in December. That has helped a lot.”Even in Saurashtra, where Kesar Keris are grown on a large scale, growers of the fruit are expecting a good crop this season.

Kesar growers in Junagadh and Talala, too, are optimistic. “If the weather continues to cooperate, you can expect Kesar from Junagadh and Talala Taluka to arrive in the markets in May,” said Dhirubhai Bhakhar, president of Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Junagadh District. “But we can’t say anything about prices at this juncture.”

Kesar Mangoes Keri Productions Junagadh District News Saurashtra Gujarat India

“Kesar Mangoes (Keri) ripen in December” farmers, scientists baffled.

There is a brighter side to everything, and the saying also applies to global warming.

Even as global warming is being debated hotly in Copenhagen, mango farmers like Chandubhai Ghesadiya are smiling in mid winter as a fully ripe crop of the famous Kesar mango (Keri) in December has come as a pleasant surprise for farmers in Junagadh State.

"It's a miracle. I have never seen this before. For the first time in 2009, I have seen this occurrence," says mango farmer Chandubhai Ghesadiya.

Chandubhai's fellow farmer Vipul Akbari is equally puzzled.

"Original mangoes normally ripen in May or June," points out another mango farmer Vipulbhai Akbari.

Kesar mangos are grown over 1, 10,000 acres in Gujarat and the annual production is in excess of 12,000 metric tonnes. But the mango is extremely sensitive to climate changes and their ripening in December is a dangerous trend.

Agriculture research scientists are now looking at possible ways to make the Kesar variety more resistant to climate changes.

"There is a need for new research for mango. It's a challenge for the scientist community. We have started research for a resistant variety to global warming," Research Scientist in Junagadh Agricultural University says Dr RR Viradiya.

For the moment though, farmers like Chandubhai are happy, as the off-season mangoes are selling at Rs 1700 for a box of 10 kilos, 10 times the normal price.

Kesar Mango Keri Junagadh District News Saurashtra Gujarat India

Trees laden with mangoes in November, experts say climate change a factor.

Mangoes usually mean the onset of summer in Gujarat. But this year, the farmers in Saurashtra hinterland, famous for its Kesar variety of mangoes, are a perplexed lot– the mango trees are either laden with fruits or have flowers in full bloom.

Agricultural scientists have undertaken the study in the phenomenon and believe the climate change could be a possible factor.

The phenomenon is seen in mango trees in Talala taluka in Junagadh district and in villages around Godhra. So far, these trees were never known to have flowered or given fruit off season.

The farmers in the region, though happy to take mango crop, are puzzled to see mango trees flowering and bearing fruit in October-November. Many of them have approached the nearby agriculture universities and horticulture institutes to know if the crop will have any negative effect.

Vipul Palani, a farmer in Talala Town(Gam) who has a Kesar mango orchard spread over 10 acres of land, said he has never witnessed such an activity in the past. “So far, we have seen increase or reduction in the yield but trees bearing mango fruit at this time is totally new for us,” said Palani. He approached the Junagadh Agricultural University’s horticulture department and informed them about the development.

Congress leader Jayesh Patel has mango trees in an orchard just five kilometers from Godhra city. Patel said while he has harvested the mangoes in one of the orchards, another orchard belonging to him has also started bearing fruit.

“I come from a family of farmers but I have never seen flowering of the trees and ready mango fruit during this season of the year,’’ said Patel.

“Several mango trees in the premises of Swaminarayan temple and Eagle Pipe Factory in Junagadh City are bearing good fruit,” said Dr A V Barad, the head of the Horticulture Department, Junagadh Agriculture University (JAU).

Barad said the university is yet to study the development in detail, but the most plausible and scientific reason could be climate change.

Dr A R Pathak, Director (Research) and Dr N J Vihol, associate professor with the Department of Horticulture, Anand Agriculture University, said the phenomenon is unusual. “We are getting reports from different areas of the state with trees bearing mangoes. This is a subject of study for horticulturists,” said the two scientists.

According to the scientists, environmental changes could have affected the flowering and fruit bearing habits of the seasonal variety of mangoes. “But our scientists have commenced the study to find the exact scientific reason for it,” said Pathak.

Junagadh District Saurastra News - Kesar Mangos Keri

40% decline in Kesar Mangos production at Junagadh District(Talala) this year. Raymal Kamaliya, a mango farmer in Chundadi village of Junagadh district, had earned Rs 1.5 lakh last year from his farm. Shocking as it may sound, Kamaliya is finding it difficult to buy mango for his own family this year.

Climate change has resulted in drastic reduction, as much as 40 per cent, of the famous Jungadhi kesar variety of mango, which sells maximum. "There has been no mango harvest at all on our five-acre farm.

This is all because of the weather change that caused major decline in production'' said Kamaliya. Kamaliya is not alone. There are number of farmers in Junagadh District who could hardly harvest 40 per cent of the mango production as compared to previous year, said officials in government horticulture department of Junagadh.

"Last year, the mango production was 1, 12, 840 tonnes in Junagadh district which is expected to be hardly 45, 500 tones from 16,500 ha land cultivation' said an official.

According Talala Market Yard official, the mango season started on May 5 and till date it has received 5.27 lakh boxes. But, daily inflow of mango boxes is declining with each passing day.

"Last year, we got around 9 lakh boxes in the market whereas this year it would remain around 6 lakh," said sources in Talala Market Yard. Officials said that close to 75 per cent mango harvesting is already over with farmers harvesting an average three tonnes per hectare.

"This year, there was no sign of cold that is required for good mango production.

Also, flowering was late and less in orchards," said farmer Mensibhai. Moreover, reports of an early monsoon had also threatened to stop complete harvest of mangoes.

"Farmers were afraid that rains would spoil the fruits on the trees. But, now that monsoon will arrive at regular time, we will completely harvest the crop," said Gafar Kureshi, a farmer in Junagadh.

Junagadh District(Saurastra) News – Kesar Mango(Keri) Production

Farmer exports jumbo-sized Kesar Mango(keri) over Internet, earns Rs 10 lakh every year.

Nagjibhai Boghra, a farmer from Ratang village in Junagadh District could perhaps give a tip or two to the state agriculture minister who is leading a delegation to the UK to explore the market for mangoes from Gujarat.

Boghra has a four acre land and nets a profit of 10 lakh rupees each year, selling mangoes overseas over the Internet. He now sells mango saplings as far as Egypt.

Incidentally, Boghra (48) has only studied up to the primary level, but has successfully mastered the craft of growing jumbo-sized Kesar Mangoes. Kesar is the famous brand of mango from Saurashtra and mangoes produced in his farm weigh 300 grams to 1 kg apiece, much more than the usual specimen of the same variety.

He says: “I sell my jumbo-sized mango at the price tag of Rs 800 per 20 kg. I receive the sale order on my computer. I have also developed my web site www.kesarmango.in. Several of my customers are from the UK.”

Talala Gir Junagadh District News – Kesar Mangoes Keri Production 2011

Price of Kesar soars due to decline in yield.

Mango lovers in the region might not relish their due share of Kesar this season, with the soaring price of this famous breed of mango due to decline in its yield.

The production of Kesar in Navsari was recorded at 10 percent while Talala produced 30 percent of it, which is estimated to be 50 percent lower than previous year's yield.

The mango hit the market a couple of days ago in Navsari, but consumers seem uncomfortable with the price.

Those who can afford the price have reduced the quantity they used to buy earlier, a shopkeeper said.

Akshay Patel from Sona village in Navsari said this year production of Kesar in the region is around 10 percent.

A retailer, Mangaram Marathi said that Kesar is being sold at a price of Rs 50-60 per kg.

Lower production has also affected the export of Kesar from Navsari.

President of marketing yard at Talala, Vallabh Chaudhary said Centre's allocation of fund of Rs 4.5 crore for setting up a mango processing unit at Talala will help boom the export of Kesar from next year.

Mango season in Talala and other areas in Junagadh district starts from the month of May and lasts till the third week of June.

However, this year the mango yield has dropped by about 50 percent due to global warming, unseasoned rains and high temperature at the time of flowering and maturity, the agriculture experts said.

One of the office bearers of Agriculture Produce Market Produce at Talala, Hasmukh Jarasaniya said the price of ten kg box of Kesar now ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 600.

A total of 7500 boxes were auctioned on the first day of arrival of Kesar in the yard, he said.

The commissioning agents and fruit sellers said they they expect to sell only about three lakh boxes of Kesar this year, which is one third of last year's figure when the yard sold nine lakh boxes.

However, markets across Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Navsari, Bulsar, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and other places are flooded with different kinds of mangoes from other parts of the country which include Alphonso, Totapuri Badami and Payri.

Junagadh District News – Kesar Mango Keri Talala

“Kesar Mango may be out of bound for ‘aam’ aadmi”.

Global warming has claimed its latest victim-mangoes in Junagadh district as well as the whole of Saurashtra region, taking the king of fruit out of reach of the general populace.

On Tuesday, as the auction of Junagadh's famous Kesar mangoes began in the Talala Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) yard, it was declared that the mango crop produce had dropped by a major 40 percent. However, the price of mangoes saw no such fall as they rose inversely proportional to the mango yield this year.

Talala APMC yard chairman Harsukh Jarsaniya said the auction of mangoes officially began from today and the price of a 10 kg box of mango now ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 600.

"Last year, a total of nine lakh mango boxes had been sold in the Talala yard. However, this year the astronomical prices might ensure that they do not even touch the three-lakh mark," he said.

Kesar Keri Mangoes Junagadh Saurashtra Gujarat India

Mango arrival to be late in Gujarat this summer.

The king of fruits might arrive a tad late this summer in Gujarat.

According to experts, the arrival of mango in the state could be as late as 15-20 days due to irregular winter which seems to have damaged the flowering.

As per the Junagadh Agriculture University(JAU), the winter had been erratic this year leaving damaged flowers of mango, especially of the 'Kesar' variety in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. "Weather condition during winter this year was not favourable for mango in Gujarat. Right in the middle of flowering time, the climate became erratic resulting in lot of damage. As a result mango arrival will be quite late in the market this summer", said BK Kikani, vice chancellor, Junagadh Agriculture University.

Gujarat has approximately three lakh hectares area under mango cultivation. Areas like Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Valsad, Navsari, Sasan and Talala Gir, Visavadar, Savarkundala and Kutch have gained prominence for mango cultivation in the state. Last year about 10 lakh boxes, with each box containing 10 kg, arrived in the Talala Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) which is the main market for Kesar variety of mango in India.

Talking about the variety, Harsukhbhai Zarsaniya, secretary of Talala APMC said, "Kesar mangos arrival will start from May 10-15 this year. Generally it starts from last week of March every year. However, flowering has been late on mango. In normal condition flowers blossom between end of January and middle of February. But this year it was late as winter was not in its normal flow."

"It is too early to predict about production of mango, but yes arrival this season will be definitely late. Weather should also get hotter now. Otherwise it will also affect prices as bad weather can damage the products," said Batuksinh Jadeja of Ashapura Farm & Nursery from Kutch.

Kesar Keri Mangoes Junagadh Districts Gujarat India

Early Entry of rains in Junagadh(Saurastra), Make Mangoes more affordable :-

Early monsoon in the state might have brought respite from the scorching heat but it has come as bad news for mango farmers in Saurashtra.

Farmers say they have suffered a double whammy —the longest cold wave conditions in the state coupled with the early rains which affected the Kesar mango crop especially in Saurashtra.

The mango yield fell by over 40 per cent in Saurashtra region. Secretary of the biggest mango marketing yard, Agriculture Produce Market, Talala, HH Jarsania says: "There are hardly any buyers. The rate for a 10 kg carton is usually around Rs 150-160 per kg, but at present the same costs around Rs 60-70," says Jarsania.

In Saurashtra, over 20 per cent of Mangoes are yet to ripen in places like Vanthali.

Meanwhile, mango lovers in Gujarat who had to restrain their mango appetite that sold at Rs 60-70 per kg in May might get a chance to feast on the king of fruits in the last two weeks of the season.

Wholesale dealers and retailers of mangoes say that certain communities, sizeable in number, don’t eat mangoes after the first rains which will cut the demand by 20 per cent. "Mangoes will become affordable once the rains set in," says Magan Motibhai, a fruit retailer at Jamalpur who was selling Kesar mangoes at Rs 40 per kg. "Prices will come down once rains come but the quality and taste may suffer," says Lachhman Rohra, chairman of the Wholesale Fruit Market Association.

Bachubhai Ahir, a farmer from Talala says, "Once the rains begin the crop is totally destroyed and we have to simply dump the crop into the sea." According to Bachubhai about 30 per cent of the crop is still in the fields. Mohan Patel, a resident of Vanthali and a prominent mango farmer says, "In Talala and Junagadh the farmers pluck mango early but in Vanthali the plucking is about to begin and with early rains over 70 per cent of the crop is destroyed. The farmers are incurring huge losses."

PK Kapadia, associate research scientist, Mahuva says, "Due to late flowering this year in several areas, the mangoes are still not ripe and this early rain would definitely affect the crop. Nearly 30 per cent of the crop is due to late flowering," he said.

Kesar Mangoes Keris Types Varities Junagadh Saurashtra Gujarat India

Kesar Mango Keri - Junagadh City District

Types of Mangoes :-

Types of Mangoes found in India

1. Alphonso
2. Ratnagiri
3. Devgadh
4. Kesar
5. Batli
6. Langdo
7. Payri
8. Rajapuri
9. Tota

Types of Mangoes found in the US :-

1. Irwin
2. Kent
3. Lippens
4. Haden
5. Alice
6. Valencia Pride
7. Alice