Mango farmers in the Dharwad district of Karnataka are breathing a collective sigh of relief and optimism this season. After battling erratic weather patterns for several years, which severely impacted flowering, fruit setting, and final harvests, conditions have finally turned favourable. The prevailing cold weather during the crucial flowering phase has resulted in orchards laden with blossoms, signalling the potential for a bumper mango yield.
Ideal Weather Ends a String of Bad Seasons
Mango flowering typically occurs in the winter months of December and January. However, recent years have been marked by climate variability, leading to poor flowering, premature shedding of blossoms, or even a complete failure to bloom. Farmers faced a cascade of challenges including overcast skies, a lack of necessary cold weather, untimely rains during flowering, and fog during fruit set that caused fruit drop. Sudden storms with strong winds further damaged nearly mature fruits, leading to repeated losses that disheartened many growers, some of whom began shifting to alternative crops.
This year, the story is different. Conducive cold conditions have triggered profuse flowering across most orchards in the district. "This year, the weather has been favourable for flowering, trees are full of blossoms, and there is no immediate threat of disease. We are optimistic about a good yield," said Devendrapa Jainar, a mango grower from Kelgeri.
Dharwad: The Land of Premium Alphonso
Dharwad is a leading mango-growing district in Karnataka, with cultivation spread over approximately 15,000 hectares. Notably, nearly 99% of this area is dedicated to the premium Alphonso variety, locally known as 'Aapoos'. Due to its high demand in domestic and international markets, farmers in Dharwad, Hubballi, and Alnavar regions have predominantly adopted this variety. The high-quality Alphonso mangoes from this region are a significant export product.
Buoyed by the excellent flowering, the horticulture department has projected a mango yield of around 65,000 metric tonnes for the district this season. Kashinath Bhadrannavar, Deputy Director of the Department of Horticulture, stated, "With the combination of cold weather and sunshine, conditions have been ideal for flowering. If farmers follow scientific guidance and protect the blossoms, a good harvest is assured." He added that an average yield of 4 to 5 tonnes per hectare is anticipated.
Guidance for Farmers and Infrastructure Boost
While the flowering is promising, officials have cautioned farmers against complacency. To ensure a better fruit set, proper protection of the blossoms is critical. The horticulture department has advised growers to avoid pesticide spraying and irrigation during the pollination period to prevent damage to the delicate flowers.
Mango growers in the region have also strengthened their collective efforts by forming farmer groups. These groups provide timely guidance and conduct workshops, further boosting confidence for a good crop. Adding to the positive outlook, a long-standing demand of the growers is being met: the establishment of a mango development centre in Dharwad. Facilities for mango processing within Dharwad itself are expected to be available starting this summer, which is seen as a major positive development for the local industry.
The current season, therefore, stands as a beacon of hope for Dharwad's mango cultivators, combining ideal weather, scientific support, and improved infrastructure to potentially deliver a prosperous harvest of the beloved Alphonso mango.
