The Hindu : Low in quantity, high in content

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 07, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Low in quantity, high in content

By D. Sivarajan

Hosur April 6. It is a belated mango season in Dharmapuri district this year and the yield is expected to be a mere 30 to 40 per cent of the bumper crop of the previous year. However, this year, farmers are hopeful of obtaining a good price for the produce as the shortage in production is perceived to increase the demand.

Dharmapuri district accounts for the maximum mango production in the State from its nearly 35,000 hectares of groves. In fact, the much popular `Salem mangoes' are from Krishnagiri taluk in Dharmapuri district. But it had obtained the name when Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri were part of composite Salem district. The average yield per hectare has been estimated to be around nine tonnes, with Thothapuri (Bangalora) accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the yield. Of the remaining 20 per cent, Neelam accounts for 10 per cent while the rest consists of choice varieties like Alphonso, Malgova and Senthura.

According to mango farmers in Krishnagiri, the fall in yield this year is mainly due to lack of rains, as it had resulted in the trees failing to experience full-fledged flowering. The trees had also developed fresh leaves, stalling the flowering process. But farmers point out that in spite of the fall in yield, the quality of mangoes in terms of their juicy content would be high, enabling to obtain a good price.

It is said that Senthura and other choice varieties, which sold at Rs.3, 000 to Rs.4, 000 per tonne last year, is expected to sell at Rs.25, 000 to Rs.30, 000 while Thothapuri, which sold at Rs.1, 500 per tonne last year, would fetch a minimum of Rs.8, 000 to Rs.10, 000 this year.

The farmers also lament that the drought conditions prevailing in the district year after year was taking its toll in that if the crop was good one year it was invariably bad the next year.

They point out that with groundwater undergoing a steep depletion, with its non-availability even at a depth of 200 feet, irrigation was impossible.

It was high time water from Krishnagiri dam was utilised to fill up Periyar Eri, Jagadevi Eri and other tanks situated in the mango-growing areas, they note.

However, farmers in Krishnagiri are also critical about the contribution offered by the Department of Horticulture in improving the yield process.

They claim that the horticultural officers seldom visited the farms to offer advice or educate them on innovative farming aspects. They feel that the Government instead of offering free saplings and other subsidised inputs could concentrate on aiding the process of conserving water in the mango-growing areas.

This year, the mangoes are expected to ripen during May and June.

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