PANAJI
Goa’s mango crop, expected to peak in March and April, may not deliver the bumper harvest farmers had expected, despite the favourable winter and trees flowering thickly everywhere.
Former agriculture officer and botanist Miguel Braganza said flowering was widespread in January and early February, but many blossoms have failed to fruit.
“The reality check has come and all those flowers are not becoming fruit,” he noted.
Braganza added that some prized ‘Mankurad’ mangoes had already appeared in markets from early-flowering trees. While the crop looks better than last year, he cautioned that expectations of a bumper yield are unlikely to be met.
Officials from the agriculture department echoed his concerns.
A zonal agriculture officer in North Goa said fruiting was “far from perfect,” citing factors such as dewing. The department is monitoring orchards and advising farmers regularly, he said.
Braganza, however, expects farmers to fare better than last season. He warned that prices will remain high, driven by rising labour costs and strong consumer demand. Traders, he said, are well aware that buyers are willing to pay.
Cold storage facilities at the Curti sub-yard of the Goa Agriculture Produce Marketing Board, along with private ripening chambers, allow traders to hold mangoes longer, which could keep prices firm even if yields improve, he added.
The prized Mankurad mango, often called the ‘king of mangoes’, holds a special place in Goa’s culture and is GI-tagged to the State. Known for its rich sweetness, smooth texture and distinct aroma, it is one of the most sought-after varieties during the summer.
Their arrival in markets signals the start of the local mango season, but for now, Goa’s mango lovers must wait and watch. The king of fruits will arrive, but whether it comes in abundance and at low prices still remains uncertain.
