Mysore:  This is the season when mango, the king of fruits, spreads its fragrance which very few are willing to escape. However, due to weather conditions, the flavour and fragrance this time is considerably less than expected which has disappointed the growers.

According to the statistics available, mango is grown in 61,025 hectares in Mysuru District as a horticulture crop. In 2017-18, mango was grown in 4,144 hectares in the district and there was a yield of 34.071 tonnes, said the sources from the Horticulture Department.

In 2018-19, mango was grown in about 4,136 hectares and this year due to hot weather conditions, the production is going to come down, it is said. This year in most of the mango orchards, there was good blooming of the flowers. Hence, a good crop was expected. However, the weather has played spoil sport to this expectation. Due to scorching sun, the flowers have withered and falling.

Mangoes are grown in Yelwal, Hullahalli of Mysuru Taluk, K.R. Nagar, H.D. Kote, Nanjangud, Periyapatna, Hunsur taluks and other places. Varieties like Badami, Raspuri, Malgoa, Totapuri, Mallika, Dasheri and others have made a name.

Apart from Devaraja Market, the mangoes are found in mango mandis and shops as also on the roadsides. In the first week of May, all varieties of mangoes are going to hit the market. Then the season lasts till the end of July when they slowly disappear.

The three varieties of mango that are in great demand in Devaraja Market are Badami, Raspuri and Alphonso, said trader Syed sitting in his shop in the market.  Badami is sold at Rs.120, Raspuri Rs.80, Alphonso Rs.140 and Malgoa Rs.100 a kg, he said.

Mango grower Boregowda from H.D. Kote told Star of Mysore that the crop yield had come down considerably this year which was a cause for great concern. He owned 150 trees. While last year he had earned an income of Rs.1,50,000 after having grown six tonnes   of crop, this year he is doubtful if he can get even two tonnes of Badami variety he grows and the reason is because of poor monsoon and extreme heat conditions.

Last year, in the month of April and May, he had sold mangoes to the traders at Rs.40 to Rs.50 a kg. But in the month of June the traders had reduced the price to Rs. 12 – Rs. 15, he added.