Keonjhar, July 24: Drastic fall in mango production in Keonjhar has affected the livelihood of forest-dwellers in the district. While the yield has dropped, the entry of hybrid mango varieties has affected the sale of local ones.
The tribals depend on the sale of local variety of mangoes like Lyangra, Himsagar, Amrapali, Dusheri, for three months in a year. However, the traders from neighbouring state Bihar have captured the market this year with good quality mangoes as local production was not good.
Bad weather conditions during flowering and fruit setting stages are the main causes for decline in production, said a yashobanta Dehuri, a mango grower.
Tribal women with their kids, can be seen waiting for hours under in rain on the streets of villages and in urban markets to sell the local mangoes. But they are forced to sell the fruits at throwaway prices. “If we don’t sell the mangoes, they will rot. So we sell it at throwaway prices to manage daily needs,” said a tribal woman,
Furthermore, traders from Bihar are taking mango orchards on lease from beginning of the season at less prices and exporting the harvest at high prices, she added.
The government should take initiative for the protection of local varieties of mangoes through preservation efforts by setting up proper storage facility and proper marketing.”
The government can buy large quantities of the local mangoes and use those in making jam, jelly, juice and other products like pickles, said mango growers of the district.