The average mango production is 1.36 lakh tonnes in Khammam and 44,000 tonnes in Bhadradri district. Mango is being raised in 34,000 acres in Khammam district and 11,000 acres in Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts. The situation has changed now and farmers are expected to face heavy losses this year. Mandals like Sattupalli, Aswaraopet, Dammapet, Yellandu, Mulakalapalli, Madhira, Errupalem, Enkoor, Tallada, Penuballi, Konigerla and Vemsoor mandals in Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts used to export good quality of mangoes abroad and other states.

The yield of mango per acre in the general situation is 4,000 tonnes and it is now only 1,000 tonnes per acre. Nearly 70 per cent of the flowering was dropped with it and the farmers were a worried lot. Later, bed bugs attacked unripe fruits and it caused major damage to the production. Though mango growers initially felt happy as flowering was high, unfortunately, blooming did not sustain due to the attack of pink worms, which was witnessed in chilli crops. Blossoming started in February instead of January. Mango production in the current year has come down drastically due to gales and pests attacks.

According to an estimate, mango production witnessed 70 per cent decline this year and farmers are said to be seriously considering alternative horticulture crops. The king of all fruits, the most sought after one during summer, is fast turning a rare commodity in the market. KHAMMAM: Summer is around and it is time to relish the yellow, pulpy and yummy mangoes of all sorts but the mouth-watering fruit seems to be playing hide-and-seek.

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