Hailstones damage mango crop in Maharashtra

Farmers are lamenting the damage to their mango crops in various regions of Maharashtra due to hailstones and early rainfall.

Every year Aurangabad district exports around 70 tons of Kesar Mangoes to USA. But earlier this week, due to hailstorms and unexpected rainfall, the mangoes have been damaged, and developed holes and bruises.

"Almost all the mango crops in this area have been affected by rain and hailstones. Some officials from the agriculture and revenue department came to inspect the crops," said Vinayak Pathrikar, mango farmer.

The farmers fear that they will not be able to meet the export targets.

"The quality of the mango crops has now deteriorated for the purpose of export. That is why this year we won't be able to achieve the export targets. Especially in Gangapur...and Aurangabad, hailstorms have damaged the crops to a large extent, especially the Kesar mango crops," said Trayambak Pathrikar, secretary, Mango Growers Association, Aurangabad.

Farmers receive Rs70,000-75, 000 for every ton of mangoes exported to the US, and make an annual profit of Rs4.5 million.

Kesar Mango has a unique sweet taste and is characterized by its golden colour with green overtones. The fruit is slightly smaller compared to the Alphonso variety.