388
N. Lalitha
12 and 18 °C during night and the day temperature should not exceed more than
25 °C. If the temperature increases beyond this level, then only vegetation increases
and no flowering occurs. The year 2018 had been particularly of a period of brief
winter followed by rise in the day temperature. Hence, both the officials and the
farmers predicted a reduction in the yield, which became true during the 2018 April–
June season
4 as the production dropped by 50%. In 2019, there has already been
damage due to the unseasonal rain and storm
5 in February and now in April.
6 The
2019 season witnessed a prolonged winter and double climate. Due to this farmers
noted the flowering to continue in February as well, while normally that is the time
for raw mangoes to be seen in the trees. As the Gir Somnath region had experienced
the climate fury, production is expected to decrease by 50% in the 2019 season. But
as against this, Kutch also produces Kesar mango mainly using drip irrigation and
hence is racing ahead with more acreage and production.
7 Our interviews with the
traders in Talala and Ahmedabad also revealed that Kutch mangoes which arrive later
than Gir Kesar mangoes, command a relatively higher price than Kesar mangoes due
to their sugar content. It may be noted that Kutch is a highly water deficient district
and as noted by Normand et al. (2015) drought reduces fruit size and increases fruit
quality by increasing the sugar concentration of the fruit.
A mango crop model to assess more precisely the effects of climate change on
mango production, and to propose simulation-based ways for mango cultivation to
cope with climate change is not yet in place (Normand et al. 2015). Malhotra (2017)
adds that in the horticultural segment crop model is available for potato and coconut
only. However, HDJAU officials pointed out a variety of climate change adaptation
strategies that could be followed by farmers. One is to create shelterbelts around the
mango gardens that will prevent the hot winds affecting the flowers and preventing
the fruit drop.
8 HDGOG noted that farmers do not visit their gardens frequently.
University scientists noted that as the farmers visit the field very infrequently till
December, they notice the heavy infestation of the mango hopper only when the pests
have travelled from the trunk to the new green flushes, which bear the panicles that
would eventually turn to flowers and fruits. As the farmers panic and spray pesticides,
they usually tend to spray more than what is required affecting the pollination and
burning of the flowers. Thus, both the climate and anthropogenic factors reduce the
yield. When there is prolonged cold weather and dew is formed on the green flush,
farmers need to follow the smudging technique, which is burning the farm waste in
the garden to create warmth and facilitate fruit setting.
4 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/kesar-mango-production-likely-to-dip-by-40/
articleshow/58322047.cms, on September 20, 2018
5 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/rain-storm-cause-severe-damage-to-kesar-mangocrop/articleshow/68191959.cms, accessed on April 11, 2019.
6 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/unseasonal-rain-lashes-south-gujarat/articleshow/
68895896.cms, accessed on April 16, 2019.
7 https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kutch-racing-ahead-in-kesarmango-cultivation/article26536039.ece
8 In Jamnagar, Reliance group which is promoting mango orchards in more than 250 ha of land is
following the shelter belt technique.
N. Lalitha
12 and 18 °C during night and the day temperature should not exceed more than
25 °C. If the temperature increases beyond this level, then only vegetation increases
and no flowering occurs. The year 2018 had been particularly of a period of brief
winter followed by rise in the day temperature. Hence, both the officials and the
farmers predicted a reduction in the yield, which became true during the 2018 April–
June season
4 as the production dropped by 50%. In 2019, there has already been
damage due to the unseasonal rain and storm
5 in February and now in April.
6 The
2019 season witnessed a prolonged winter and double climate. Due to this farmers
noted the flowering to continue in February as well, while normally that is the time
for raw mangoes to be seen in the trees. As the Gir Somnath region had experienced
the climate fury, production is expected to decrease by 50% in the 2019 season. But
as against this, Kutch also produces Kesar mango mainly using drip irrigation and
hence is racing ahead with more acreage and production.
7 Our interviews with the
traders in Talala and Ahmedabad also revealed that Kutch mangoes which arrive later
than Gir Kesar mangoes, command a relatively higher price than Kesar mangoes due
to their sugar content. It may be noted that Kutch is a highly water deficient district
and as noted by Normand et al. (2015) drought reduces fruit size and increases fruit
quality by increasing the sugar concentration of the fruit.
A mango crop model to assess more precisely the effects of climate change on
mango production, and to propose simulation-based ways for mango cultivation to
cope with climate change is not yet in place (Normand et al. 2015). Malhotra (2017)
adds that in the horticultural segment crop model is available for potato and coconut
only. However, HDJAU officials pointed out a variety of climate change adaptation
strategies that could be followed by farmers. One is to create shelterbelts around the
mango gardens that will prevent the hot winds affecting the flowers and preventing
the fruit drop.
8 HDGOG noted that farmers do not visit their gardens frequently.
University scientists noted that as the farmers visit the field very infrequently till
December, they notice the heavy infestation of the mango hopper only when the pests
have travelled from the trunk to the new green flushes, which bear the panicles that
would eventually turn to flowers and fruits. As the farmers panic and spray pesticides,
they usually tend to spray more than what is required affecting the pollination and
burning of the flowers. Thus, both the climate and anthropogenic factors reduce the
yield. When there is prolonged cold weather and dew is formed on the green flush,
farmers need to follow the smudging technique, which is burning the farm waste in
the garden to create warmth and facilitate fruit setting.
4 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/kesar-mango-production-likely-to-dip-by-40/
articleshow/58322047.cms, on September 20, 2018
5 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/rain-storm-cause-severe-damage-to-kesar-mangocrop/articleshow/68191959.cms, accessed on April 11, 2019.
6 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/unseasonal-rain-lashes-south-gujarat/articleshow/
68895896.cms, accessed on April 16, 2019.
7 https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kutch-racing-ahead-in-kesarmango-cultivation/article26536039.ece
8 In Jamnagar, Reliance group which is promoting mango orchards in more than 250 ha of land is
following the shelter belt technique.