Mango growers in Malihabad, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, are anticipating a strong season this year, with some of the best flowering seen in thirty years, Indian Express reported.
Malihabad is renowned for its Dussehari mango variety and last year took its first orders from Russia and Kuwait for the fruit, despite poor production levels.
Veteran grower Kalimullah Khan, who was awarded a civilian honour by the government in 2008 for mango cultivation and grafting, said the flowering this season is something he has not seen before.
'I have been growing mangoes for the past 50 years but can't recall when I saw such flowering last,' Mr Khan said.
'Flowering without infestation with common pests like bhunga and laal gujia, which are also responsible for pollination, is also a very rare thing.'
Mr Khan said the initial blooming has pleased growers, but added they were still wary about the quality of fruit the season would bring.
Another grower, Raees Ahmed Nadvi, agreed with Mr Khan that the flowering this year was unusually prolific.
'We have had a bad harvest for the past two years and barely made profits. This time, however, we have seen good flowering even on younger trees and also on those that had a good crop last year, which is uncommon,' he said.
Dushyant Mishra, a senior scientist at the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture, said climate change was one of the main reasons for the flowering.
'The difference in temperature is behind this unusual flowering. While so far it is good news, the fact that there are no pests, including the friendly ones, is shocking. We are studying this,' he said.
Meanwhile, Malihabad mangoes have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status after a two-year campaign by over 100 orchard owners.
The director of India's National Horticulture Board Bijay Kumar said that as Malihabad had already been identified as a mango belt, applying for GI status was the next logical step.
'Through this GI certification, the mango growers can now export their mangoes under the brand name Malihabadi, giving these mangoes a distinct identity,' Mr Kumar said.
No comments yet