Latest news with #TDamodaran
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Famed UP mangoes set to fly out, tickle taste buds across globe
Uttar Pradesh is likely to make a mark on the global fruit export map as its famed mangoes head to international markets including Singapore, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, United States, and the United Kingdom. This year, UP will target to export 100-150 tonnes of mangoes grown in the state, an official said. 'Last year, UP mango production was 6 million metric tonnes, against India's total 22 to 23 million metric tonnes. In 2024, overall UP export was pegged at 0.013%. This number is very likely to increase in 2025,' says T Damodaran, director, ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH). Damodaran said, 'We plan to export mangoes to Singapore and UAE by sea so that a large quantity can be exported. Mangoes will be sent to the US and Japan by air from the West UP region like Bulandshahr and Meerut.' Divisional commissioner, Lucknow, Roshan Jacob, on Friday interacted with exporters and mango growers, and directed state officials to extend all necessary facilities for mango exports using CISH-developed post-harvest and sea-route export technologies. To accelerate this initiative, ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow held a high-level Exporters-Growers Business Meet-2025 at its Rehmankheda campus where Jacob emphasised the importance of tapping into the domestic market potential across various states in India. Additionally, she instructed divisional officials to establish a nodal centre for export promotion at the state level. She asked the Mandi Parishad, Lucknow, to set up a one-stop centre to assist farmers with registration on APEDA's Hort-Net Portal. Damodaran highlighted that the institute will provide technical and logistical support for the export of premium Dussheri and Chausa mango varieties to Singapore, Dubai, and other international destinations during their respective seasons. He informed that CISH has developed dedicated clusters for Dussheri mangoes in Lucknow and Chausa in Siana (Bulandshahr), where farmers are now producing export-quality fruits under the Institute's technical guidance, using CISH-developed technologies to ensure superior quality and compliance with export standards. Vinita Sudhanshu, general manager, APEDA (New Delhi), elaborated on the vital role APEDA plays in promoting the export of North Indian mangoes. She emphasised the importance of quality compliance, international certifications, and logistics readiness for successful exports. Ajay Jain (IAS), the chief development officer (CDO) of Lucknow informed that packing houses in Lucknow, Amroha, and Saharanpur are fully operational and equipped for mango processing and export handling. He was also tasked with coordinating with Indian Railways for train halts and facilitating marketing opportunities through hotel chains, railway outlets, and online platforms such as Zepto, BigBasket, Blinkit, and others.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
UP mango farmers warned of pest risk after rain, hailstorm hit state
The recent rainfall, hailstorm and gusty winds are likely to cause pest infestation in mango crops across parts of Uttar Pradesh, and farmers have been advised to take timely action, a top research body official said on Thursday. Uttar Pradesh contributes one-third to the country's total mango production of 24 million tonne. Dashehari, Langra, Chuasa, and Amrapali are key mango varieties grown in the state. According to T Damodaran, Director of ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, while the overall mango yield may not be impacted in Uttar Pradesh, some pockets of mango-growing regions may see pest attacks due to humid weather conditions following the rainfall and hailstorm. "Fruit flies and thrips in mango crops can increase post rains due to humid conditions and moisture in the soil, which are favourable for these pests' development and activity," he said, adding that farmers need to manage these pests after rainfall. Damodaran explained that if timely control of the first generation of fruit flies is not undertaken, their population will multiply in successive waves, coinciding with the ripening of the main mango crop. By the time the mangoes reach marketable maturity, the fly population can become alarmingly high. To control pests, Damodaran suggested that 'methyl eugenol traps' are an effective and eco-friendly method for managing male fruit flies, especially in mango. These traps are available in the market and can be installed by hanging them at a height of 1.5 to 2 metres, preferably in semi-shaded areas inside the tree canopy. Jaggery-based poison bait may be used to control adult fruit flies. About 20 grams of jaggery mixed with 100 parts water and 1 millilitre/litre of contact insecticide (such as Malathion 50 EC) may be used to prepare the bait. Farmers should do spot spraying of this poison bait mixture on tree trunks, lower branches, and foliage. The spraying should be avoided during rain or in bright midday sun, and should be applied in the morning or late afternoon. This may be repeated every 7-10 days. For the control of thrips, any of the insecticides such as Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (0.3 ml/L) or Thiamethoxam 25% WG (0.3 g/L) or Lambda cyhalothrin 5% EC (1 ml/L) or Tolfenpyrad 15% EC at 1.5 ml/L may be used. For semiloopers and Dudua (paired fruit borer), Lambda cyhalothrin 5% EC (1 ml/L) may be sprayed by targeting the new flush and fruits, he added. Bijnor, Saharanpur and Lucknow are some of the key growing areas that received rainfall on Wednesday. Mango fruit will be harvested in Uttar Pradesh from June.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pest attack hits mango crop in UP, quality at risk
1 2 3 Lucknow: A sour deal awaits mango lovers this season as a widespread pest attack has affected crops in various parts of Uttar Pradesh. The rising temperatures are believed to be contributing to the pest issue, which can lead to scarring, reduced market value and compromised taste. The attack comes at a critical time when mangoes are growing in size, making them more vulnerable to damage. Despite the fruit size being better than previous years, the pests — including the 'dudwa' or paired fruit borer and 'cutter' (humpback caterpillar or semilooper) — are affecting mangoes in Malihabad and other parts of the state, potentially impacting the fruit's quality and yield. Director, Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), T Damodaran, said that while mango leaves have hardened by now, insects are laying eggs on fruits, which are still developing, or on their stalks. "These pests thrive when temperatures rise. It was the trend last year also," he said, adding that fruits covered with protective bags are at a lower risk. For farmers who cannot afford bagging of fruits, as a single piece may cost around Rs 20, scientists recommend insecticides and sprays, but at specific spots where pests are active, or they may scatter for a while and come back again. Like semilooper, which releases a fine thread from its mouth and hangs down from the tree when disturbed by strong winds, rain or pesticides. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Мъжки сандали, създадени за комфорт и издръжливост. ZAROTRAVEL® КУПИ СЕГА Undo While the larvae may die in the process, the larger insects may crawl back. There is, therefore, the need to spray on tree trunks as well. The paired fruit borer is active between two mangoes or within fruit clusters, laying eggs and multiplying at the junction where two fruits touch each other, while semilooper is laying eggs on fruits which have tender skin and stalks. The larvae scrape and feed on the skin of the fruit, leaving it scarred and with holes, said the director. The infestation grows with a rise in temperature, and if not controlled early, it becomes difficult to manage, he added. However, some precautions can keep them away, like bagging the fruits, light but frequent irrigation, mulching the tree basin with dried leaves and 'canopy management' of old trees so that their height is reduced and they are easier to manage.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Insect attack: Pest infestation threatens this year's bumper, juicy mango crop
Days after reports of a bountiful and luscious mango crop in the state this year, experts at the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) have said that the crop is under threat from not just one but two insect species. Experts have confirmed a growing infestation of two dangerous pests, the fruit borer (joda keet) and the leaf-cutting semilooper which could spoil the flavour and beauty of this year's mango harvest. According to Dr T Damodaran, director of the ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR-CISH) in Rehmankheda, the insects are damaging mangoes from the inside out. 'These pests bore holes in ripening mangoes, causing them to rot, fall prematurely, and lose market value. Meanwhile, semilooper insects are attacking the leaves, reducing the tree's health and fruit quality,' he explained. The situation is particularly worrying for farmers who rely on mango sales for their livelihood. 'This year, the fruit size is promising due to fewer mangoes per tree. But if these pests are not controlled immediately, they could ruin an otherwise excellent harvest,' warned entomologist Dr VS Singh. According to the horticulture scientists, there's still time to save the crop this season. Scientists recommend spraying safe and export-approved insecticides like Emamectin Benzoate to control the pest infestation. 'Special instructions were issued to target young fruits, lower tree branches, and areas where insects are visible,' said the institute. For farmers planning to export mangoes, experts advise using only certified pesticides to maintain international quality standards.
