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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Naturally-ripened, sweeter Dussehri to hit UP markets by June 10
As mangoes begin to dominate markets across Uttar Pradesh, growers from Malihabad, India's renowned mango belt, have cautioned that most of the mangoes currently on sale have been harvested early and ripened artificially. According to farmers and agri scientists, the authentic, naturally ripened Dussehri mangoes will start arriving in markets only by June 10 and this year, they are expected to be sweeter given the ideal weather. 'The farmers will start plucking them from June 5, which will continue for 2-3 days and that will take another 1-2 days to reach markets,' said Upendra Kumar Singh, general secretary, Awadh Mango Producer Horticulture Committee. 'Right now, what you see in the markets are mangoes that have been plucked too early and ripened using carbide,' said Singh, who is also a farmer in Malihabad. 'These may look ready, but they are not naturally matured and lack the signature sweetness and aroma of Dussehri,' he added. Growers say this year's crop has benefited from well-timed rain and favourable weather. 'This season, the weather was on our side. Mangoes have ripened well on the trees,' said Insram Ali, president, All India Mango Growers' Association in Malihabad. 'We're expecting the naturally ripened Dussehri to be exceptionally sweet and full of flavour. Customers who wait till June 10 will enjoy mangoes the way they are meant to taste,' he added. Both Ali and Singh have appealed to people to wait for the naturally-ripened mangoes to hit the markets. According to them, rushing mangoes to the market before they are naturally ready not only affects taste but also the reputation of Malihabad's world-famous Dussehri. 'The real joy of Dussehri lies in its natural ripening when the fruit softens on the tree and its natural sugar content peaks,' added Singh. 'This year, we can proudly say the quality will be among the best,' he said. According to T Damodaran, director, ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), not all the mangoes available in the market now have been ripened using carbide. 'Even though the majority of the mangoes available are the ones ripened unnaturally, it would be wrong to put all in that category. 20-30% of the mangoes in the market are naturally ripened as many of them fell during the thunderstorms,' he said. When asked about the mango quality this year, he said, 'Mangoes this year would be good and tasty. However, a little more heat will be required for best taste.' With the countdown to the real mango season begins, ICAR-CISH scientists have urged people to show a little patience.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Mango ‘Kavach': Butter paper brings better harvest, but leaves pockets bitter
Standing under the shade of his mango-laden trees in Malihabad here, Upendra Kumar Singh inspects the green-gold fruits wrapped in neat paper covers. The orchard hums with quiet confidence. 'These bags are my 'Kavach' (shield),' he says, gently lifting a mango protected inside a butter paper bag or fruit bag. 'Ever since I started using them, I haven't worried about pests or bad weather.' In a year when infestations have plagued mango orchards across Uttar Pradesh, Singh's harvest looks promising. He is among a small group of farmers, less than 1% across the state, who use butter paper bagging to protect their fruits. The practice, though effective, has not gained traction widely, mainly due to cost. While thousands of farmers across Uttar Pradesh struggle with pest infestations and unpredictable weather, Singh remains calm. His solution? A simple, ₹2 paper bag wrapped around each mango. This method, known as butter paper bagging or 'Kavach', has turned into a lifeline for a handful of farmers, but its cost is proving to be a bitter barrier for many. According to the Uttar Pradesh horticulture department, while the state has nearly 3 lakh mango growers, just over 2,000 have adopted the butter paper bags. Singh, also the general secretary of the Awadh Mango Producer Horticulture Committee, began using makeshift brown paper bags before the proper ones were available. Today, he uses the specially designed Kavach bags, being promoted by ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR-CISH) in Lucknow. Mango growers across UP are battling two destructive pests this season, the fruit borer and the semi-looper, that have severely affected varieties like Dussehri and Chausa. 'My orchard saw severe losses this year,' said Md Qamar, another farmer from Malihabad. 'It's impossible for small farmers to cover every mango when each bag costs ₹2.' Apart from the cost of the bag, an additional 50 to 75 paise goes into manually tying each one. For large orchards, the expenses multiply quickly. 'I have spoken to mandi officials and the Commissioner, urging for subsidies,' said Insram Ali, president of the All India Mango Growers' Association. 'The results of bagging are excellent. But without financial support, it's out of reach for most.' Ali is hopeful that a decision on subsidy support will come soon. Doubling income, but few takers According to ICAR-CISH director T Damodaran, the returns from bagged mangoes far outweigh the input costs. 'Bagged mangoes can fetch twice the profit. For every tonne of bagged mangoes, farmers can earn an additional ₹15,000 to ₹20,000. For premium quality, this goes up to ₹30,000.' Yet adoption remains low. The challenge lies not just in awareness but also in affordability. To address this, a Kavach manufacturing unit has been set up on Kursi Road in Lucknow under ICAR-CISH incubation, he informed. The factory is operated by Meta Agri Tech Pvt Ltd, led by Sujit Singh, and Mayank Singh. 'Our machine can make 2.5 to 4.5 bags per minute. We have already supplied over 50 lakh bags to farmers in Lucknow, Unnao, Sitapur, Hardoi, and more,' said Sujit. 'We aim to reach farmers in the Chausa belt of West UP and the Langda region of Varanasi.' However, the cost remains high due to the raw material, a special Kaolin-coated paper, being imported from Taiwan and Japan. 'If it were available in India, the price would come down,' said Singh. According to Damodaran, 'These bags act as a shield against pests, sunburn, dust, and sudden storms. This year's pest outbreak could have been avoided if more farmers had used Kavach.' Despite clear benefits, the high upfront cost keeps most farmers away. 'The quality difference is visible,' said Singh. 'But unless the cost drops or subsidy comes in, it will remain a choice for a few.' In the orchards of Malihabad, Singh looks at his ripening fruits. They glisten inside their protective covers, safe, healthy, and ready for the market. For now, the Kavach remains both a shield and a challenge.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Bigger, juicier, sweeter: Expect an XL mango crop, say experts
In the midst of strife comes news that will gladden most hearts! Experts believe that a combination of timely rains and ideal weather conditions is going to boost the quality of the 'king of fruit', leading to a sweeter and larger yield this season, in Uttar Pradesh. Farmers from the mango belts of the state report that the favourable heat during February and March supported excellent flowering. Now, the recent spell of rain is expected to enhance both the taste and size of the mangoes, making this year's harvest one of the best in recent times. Upendra Kumar Singh, a Malihabad-based farmer and general secretary of the Awadh Mango Producer Horticulture Committee, said, 'Rain at this time enhances the weight of mango fruit and gives it a natural taste.' Expressing similar sentiments, Insram Ali, president of the All India Mango Growers' Association, noted, 'Over the years, fake pest control measures have ruined mango produce. The combination of poor weather and pest treatment impact has reduced yields. But this year, farmers in Malihabad are expecting better results and higher prices.' According to scientists at the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Rehmankheda, rain in parts of western Uttar Pradesh has affected mango production positively to some extent. However, they assured that there will be no shortage in supply. 'In the Mal-Malihabad region, there was only rainfall without thunderstorms, which is beneficial for mangoes until they ripen,' said T Damodaran, director, CISH. However, experts warn that prolonged rainfall could damage the mango crop, as harvesting is still a few weeks away. Former ICAR-Lucknow director, Dr Shailendra Rajan, explained, 'One or two spells of rain are beneficial for the fruit, but excessive frequent rain can be harmful. It increases the risk of pest and disease attacks, and the fruit's surface may turn black due to water-induced stress.' Mangoes coming in June Expecting better produce Singh said, 'the mango will start hitting the market from the first week of June as harvesting will begin from June 1 in the Mal-Malihabad region.' He further added that the most popular varieties like Dussehri will hit the market on June 10, while others such as Chausa and Langra will be seen by June 15. However, Dr Rajan said, 'Harvesting in the first week of June will be too early for the mangoes and it should be harvested after June 15 for better results.
