Mango output expected to be affected by 5 % in UP due to unseasonal rains

LUCKNOW: Recent unseasonal rains and windstorms are expected to further lower production of mango in Uttar Pradesh, the largest producer, by about 5 per cent in 2011.

Due to cyclic trend output of the fruit is expected to be nearly 20 per cent less this year in the state as compared to last year's production of 30 lakh tonnes, sources in the state horticulture department said.

Rana Pratap Singh, Joint Director in the state Horticulture department, told PTI that 'off and on' year of mango production in UP is not an unusual phenomenon.

During an off year, flowering takes place as late as March in the trees in the alternate year, he said.

Singh said 2011 is considered as off year for Mango production in Uttar Pradesh.

Due to seasonal factor, output of the tasty variety like langda, chausa and dussehri is expected to be 20 per cent less this year, he added.

Mango belts in Uttar Pradesh include Lucknow (Lucknow, Malihabad, Bakshi-ka-Talaab), Saharanpur and Sambhal-Amroha-Muzaffarnagar districts.

The Lucknow belt, which produces world famous Dussehri mangoes besides Langda and Chausa, alone comprises 30-40 per cent of the state's annual mango output.

Delhi is the biggest market for Uttar Pradesh mangoes, followed by Punjab.

The official said that high quality Langda, Chausa and Dussehri mangoes would hit the markets in the capital only in June-July.