Kesar Mangoes Production Talala Junagadh News Gujarat India

Mango growers are ecstatic that this time, unlike previous year, mango production is expected to double or more. Even they were surprised due to the flowering in mango orchards thrice this season.

"On one side we are about to harvest mango and on the other side mango trees are flowering. We are going to harvest double production this year as compared to last year,'' said a mango grower of Ghushiya, Gir, in Talala taluka of Junagadh District, Mensi Sariya.

While it's expected that prices will come down, some like secretary, Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Talala, Harshukh Jarsaniya feel that the real picture will be clear only after the crop starts reaching the market. But many feel otherwise. "We had just 10 per cent crop last year, where as this year it will be 80 to 90 per cent. So prices will come down," said chairman, APMC, Surat, Raman Jani.

Chairman Valsad, APMC, Arvind Patel said, "Last year crops had failed everywhere and only Valsad had some crop so prices were abnormally high. This year it will be below normal." Meanwhile, some of the traders in Valsad mango market are going to start sending mangoes for canning and exports by March 24.

"It's an auspicious day of Ramnavmi and we will start our business from that day. For mango lovers, the sweet treat should be available at an affordable price," said one of the biggest wholesellers of Valsad mango market RR Mishra.

"There has been some damage due to unseasonal rains and some pests, but still yields are very high so we have nothing to worry and some local types are likely to sell at throwaway prices in the mid season," Mishra added.

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.”