Mysuru:  This is the mango season and the hope of mango lovers that the prices would come down and they can relish the fruit has been belied as the prices are going up day-by-day due to very less yield.

Mango is considered the king of fruits and there is usually a bumper crop in the month of April. During Ugadi festival, the mangoes start appearing in the market and mounds of them are found everywhere.

However, this time the mangoes are still not found in huge quantities. Since the quantity of mangoes are less, the cost has gone up. Though in the wholesale market, malls and fruit carts the prices might be a bit less, still it is not unaffordable to most people.

In the irrigated areas, mangoes are not generally seen as they are not found suitable to grow in these areas. Hence, there are a few mango orchards found in the dry regions of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts.

This time due to lack of rain, unseasonal rain and weather variations, the crop yield has come down and the growers are in distress. As the crop is less in Ramanagaram, Tumkur and other areas, the supply to Mysuru has been hit. It is said that once a week passes then varieties like Badami, Raspuri and Bangenapalli will be seen in the market.

In the wholesale market, Badami is sold at Rs. 80 to Rs.140 per kg and Raspuri Rs.50 to Rs.70. The fruit cart sellers sell it at a marked up price between Rs.10 and Rs.20. As the crop has failed, not only the farmers but also the sellers are feeling the pinch. Hence, sellers have to suffer losses if the buyers are unwilling to pay a higher price.   

When compared to last year, the crop this time is just 20 per cent. If the price is increased then the buyers will not come and if they come instead of two Kg they will buy just a kg, said a mango seller in the Devaraja Market.

During summer, the fragrance of mango spreads everywhere. However, this time it is not able to attract the mango lovers because of the mango drought. This has left a bitter taste in the mouth of the mango lovers, the farmers are a disheartened lot and the mango businessman’s business is also affected.   

Use of chemicals banned

Ripening of the fruits artificially using chemicals is a common phenomena though it is a dangerous practice. Hence, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has ordered a ban on the use of calcium carbide, a chemical used to ripen the fruits. Calcium carbide, which contains arsenic and phosphorus, affects the health of human beings, adversely.

As people are aware of this practise of using chemicals to ripen the mangoes, they are reluctant to buy them from the vendors who have used the chemicals. The MCC officials have asked the vendors to instead use Ethylene gas. They have been warned of stringent action if they continue to use banned chemicals like calcium carbide.

Akram Pasha, a fruit vendor told Star of Mysore that MCC has issued a warning not to use chemicals but use Ethylene gas to ripen the fruits naturally.