VALPOI
Favourable weather this year has led to a bumper crop of mangoes, cashew nuts and other fruits across Sattari. However, mango growers are worried as they are not getting the expected market prices, while the lack of cold storage facilities has added to their problems.
This year’s good climatic conditions greatly benefited horticulture crops. Cashew growers earned good returns due to better prices, but mango farmers have suffered losses despite higher production.
The situation is especially difficult in Sattari taluka, where the mango season begins nearly two months later than in coastal areas. Mangoes in the region usually ripen in May, by which time markets are already flooded with produce from other areas, pushing prices down.
Farmers say they are unable to earn satisfactory profits from mango cultivation. Varieties such as Mankurad, Kesar, Hapus, Ratna and Amrapali are still hanging on trees in many orchards. Growers say harvesting costs are very high and, without assurance of good prices, they are hesitant to pluck the fruits.
“What is the point of spending heavily on labour if the mangoes do not fetch satisfactory prices,” said one grower.
Farmers fear many mangoes could fall and perish within the next few days, leading to major losses.
Farmers believe cold storage and government procurement through the horticulture corporation could have provided much-needed relief.
