JOIN USState's 'mango bowl' brims over with woes
Over 11,000 acres of mango plantations in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts, known as the ‘mango bowl’ of the State, have been completely destroyed. These bayaluseeme (plains) districts - which account for nearly 40 per cent of the State’s mango yield - have been reeling under severe drought for eight years now.
Despite a survey by a team of experts headed by Dr V Nachegowda, professor and dean, College of Horticulture, Kolar, and a detailed report submitted to the government, growers are yet to receive compensation for the damage caused to their orchards.
Dr S V Hittalmani, former director, Horticulture department, said that when he visited the orchards during the pre-flowering season last October, he found that these districts were already reeling under severe drought with no moisture in the soil or in the atmosphere, resulting in drying up of the plantations.
“Kolar and Chikkaballapur were contributing nearly four lakh tonnes of mangoes every year, but this year it will be difficult for the growers to contribute the same as the yield is less than two lakh tonnes,” he added.
Hittalmani said that unlike the orchards in other places, these two districts have very young trees, but it is unfortunate that these plantations are dying an early death.
The farmers’ woes have worsened as it is not just the drought. These plantations have also been infested with pests like stem borer, which have damaged most of the trees.
Hittalmani said that the drought had caused permanent damage to thousands of acres of mango plantations. The government should not only focus on providing compensation to the farmers, but must also come up with a relief package for these districts. Besides protecting the existing plantations, the government must come up with awareness campaigns on the use of pesticides, he felt.
Ritesh Kumar Singh, secretary, Revenue department (natural disaster management authority), said that they were yet to start distributing compensation to mango farmers and the details of the damage had just been collected by the Horticulture department.
“We have already deposited Rs 216 crore to the bank accounts of farmers who have been affected due to unseasonal rain. We will send a revised memorandum to the Centre on Monday, seeking a relief of Rs 140 crore. There has been crop loss to the tune of Rs 650 crore in the State so far,” he added.