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Mango growers hit hard by slump in prices

Last Updated 31 May 2009, 17:45 IST

When compared to the rates during the harvest season to now there is a considerable decrease in the rate of mangoes.

The totapuri variety which is grown in large numbers in the taluk was sold at between Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000. The price of it has come down to Rs 6,000 per ton. The prices of other varieties that have come down are:  Benish from Rs 15,000 to Rs 10,000, Badami, from Rs 25,000 to Rs 20,000, Rasapuri from Rs 18,000 to Rs 10,000, Rajgeera from Rs 9,000 to Rs 8,000, Mallika from Rs 15,000 to Rs 10,000, Kalapahad from Rs 12,000 to Rs 10,000 and Malgoba from Rs 18,000 to Rs 15,000.

These are the rates at which the mango varieties are being sold, said Taluk Mango Growers Association president Chandra Reddy Deccan Herald.

This time due to the extreme weather conditions the trees flowered at three different stages. Hence, trees have borne fruits at three different stages. The raw fruits should be picked step by step. However, the farmers are picking the all the fruits at the same time and piling it up in the market.

The fruit sellers who have bought the mangoes are finding that they are not riping properly and hence sending them back. This has resulted in the drop in prices of mangoes, said the mandi owners.

The mangoes should be picked without damaging them. But the farmers due to shortage of dailywagers have started using sticks and shaking the branches to bring down the mangoes. Such mangoes begin to rot very quickly and get spoilt. If the growers still complain that they are not getting proper rates who is to be blamed, ask the sellers.

Protest planned

The mandi owners have decided to stop business on June 1to protest against the unscientific picking of mangoes.

On that day there is a programme to teach the growers as to how to pick the mangoes scientifically, said Chandra Reddy. 

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(Published 31 May 2009, 17:37 IST)

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