“Badami (Alphonso) and Totapuri are the mainstays, and there will be lesser quantities of Benishan, Mallika, Raspuri and Sakreguthi. All these are grown in 44,000 hectares in Kolar and 14,000 hectares in Chikakballapura. We want to help farmers, so we will follow strict distancing norms during the mela as well, if the Government gives us permission.”
Farmer organisations have revealed that Badami, Kesar and Raspuri mangoes from Ramanagara is nearly over for the season. “Since we will soon receive Totapuri in bulk, we will send a major portion of the crop to NDDP’s co-operative, Safal at Kannamangala near Whitefield, for machined pulp extractions for the jam and juice industry.”
While the preparations to distribute mangoes and different horticulture produce through the lockdown was an enormous process for horticulture organisations in Karnataka, there was added hassle for mango growers in Dharwad. The district that covers practically 12,000 hectares was hit by thunderstorms during the last two weeks. “The rain and the gusty winds damaged our ready-to-harvest Badami (Alphonso) mango in Kundgol, Kalgahtagi, Dharwad and Hubballi taluks and Shiggaon in Haveri district,” says Basappa Mulgund, a farmer from Huballi taluk. “The soaring temperatures brought down the yield and the rain and wind blew away the crops. Even sapota trees were uprooted,” says Mulgund who has a three-acre orchard in Unkal village.
The drastic dip in market pricing is due to farmers’ lack of entry to markets, in accordance to S Rajendra Prasad, Vice Chancellor, UAS-GKVK. “The first round of mango crops came from Ramanagara in April and the beginning of May. We helped the farmers deal directly with consumers in Bengaluru. Farmers, with staff from UAS, sold their produce in Hebbal, Sahakarnagar, Judicial Layout and Jakkur. With the lockdown extended to May 31, we are working to help distribute farm produce coming from Kolar.”
The Agri War Unit arrange at UAS-GKVK is preparing to assist distribute practically six tonnes of farm produce from Kolar. “Apart from mango, grapes, vegetables, butter fruit, water melon and pineapple will also be available.”
UAS-GKVK helped farmers get paddy and pulses seeds through the pre-monsoon. “We reached them to villagers free of cost.” Prasad says UAS-GKVK will quickly take up re-organisation of agri-zones in the State as there have been huge variations of rainfall. “This will help us advice farmers on what crops they can grow depending on the type of soil, rainfall and humidity in the region.”
Call 18004250571, for particulars on availability of farm produce. Apartment organisations can ship requests for mango gross sales to the Mango Board on