King of Fruits adorn Chikmagalur

Mangoes are grown at Belavai, Kalasapura, Tarikere, Birur, Kadur taluk in the district. Since the production is not sufficient, mangoes are brought to the district from Bangalore to meet the demand.

The yield of mangoes was outstanding in 2008-09 and hence the year was rightly called ‘super crop year’. Unfortunately, this year the yield has gone down by 80 per cent.  Mangoes are grown on 2,232 hectare in Tarikere taluk, which is the highest, followed by Kadur with 1,150 hectare and Chikmagalur with 783 hectares, informed Chikmagalur taluk Horticulture Assistant Director Prithviraj.

The depletion in mango yield has resulted in price rise, Prithviraj said and added that though mangoes are being imported from other states, the yield has reduced considerably even in other states.

At present Mallika variety of mango is having high demand. Sharief and Azeez Ahmed, wholesale dealers of Mango, say that within a month, Neelam mangoes from Andhra Pradesh will be in the district.

The cost of mangoes has gone up by 60 per cent but the number of buyers has not reduced, say the dealers. It is said that the cost has gone up three times when compared to last year.  The varieties of mangoes which were available for Rs 10 per kg are being sold at Rs 35 per kg. All in all, the vendors of mangoes are making hay while the sun is shining.