Early monsoon in Telangana not to have impact on mangoes as 90% harvested

Mangoes being sold at a market in Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

The arrival of monsoon around two weeks earlier than the usual date in Telangana might not have a significant impact on the overall mango production in the State as majority of the fruits are already collected.

Director of Telangana Horticulture and Sericulture Shaik Yasmeen Basha said that around 90% of mangoes have been harvested.

Generally, in the Second part of may, variatis such as kesar, banganapalli and himayat are harvested. Officials of the Horticulture department said that some farmers, who had taken land on lease, would not want to lose the investment. In such conditions, when summer is interspersed with rain and more are expected, they opt for early harvest.

District Horticulture and Sericulture Officer (Jagtial) G. Shyam Prasad said that late flowering of trees also pushes the time fruits are gathered.

Of the 3.06 lakh acres of mango orchards in Telangana in 2024-25, the highest is in Jagtial: around 37,000 acres. Mr. Prasad said that 80% of mangoes cultivated in the district are ‘Benishan’, which are harvested from late March to May-end. The tree flowers multiple times, and the farmers whose trees flower early get relatively more profits.

Benishan is one of the favourites in northern India. Traders from there rent flats in Jagtial during the harvest season to coordinate the export of the fruits. This ensures that the fruit is not left unsold.

The fruits harvested in June first week or later are usually priced more. A few farmers are hoping the rains will subside and waiting to harvest the fruits in the coming days.