While the mango traders in Malda were upset due to the delay in flowering, the state government’s food processing and horticulture department has started encouraging mango farmers and traders to take care of their orchards since the favourable climate prevails, at present.
Due to the sudden onset of chilly weather and fog, the budding process was delayed since the first week of February. Significantly, due to climate change, mango farmers saw the blossoms especially in Laxman Bhog mango, a table variety fruit, orchards in Malda in December 2023.
Officials of the food processing and horticulture department, who have started demonstrating in rural areas for nourishment of mango orchards for better production of cash crops for this district, claimed that present climate is suitable for better and late flowering.
Officials have suggested that farmers should wash the branches of mango trees immediately by spraying water to clear all the dust and even mites so that insect infestation will not occur during budding. The base of each mango tree should be dug round. Water should be supplied regularly by applying quality organic fertilizers and insecticides.
One of the mango traders, Suman Ghosh, who was upset due to the delay in flowering, said, “The production cost is increasing due to climate change. I have not seen flowering in my orchards. Original mango farmers are not interested in cultivation. They have leased out their orchards to other traders, who at present are hesitating to invest more following late flowering trend and less production of mango.”
But, the president of Malda Mango Merchants’ Association (MMMA) Ujjal Saha is hopeful.
Mr Saha has urged mango farmers as well as the members of the association to follow the guidelines of the food processing and horticulture guidelines to overcome the present situation.
The mango production was estimated to be 4 lakh metric ton in Malda in the last season, sources said.