Mango production likely to decline

LAHAN, May 22: Production of mangoes in the eastern Tarai is likely to fall this year largely due to adverse weather conditions. In Siraha district alone, 4,565 metric tons of mangoes were destroyed by hailstorms this year. [break]



This is expected to inflict a loss of Rs 10 million on around 20,000 farmers, according to Indra Dev Yadav, horticulture development officer. Due to the unexpected fall in production, mangoes are expected to be dearer this year.



Mangoes were planted in around 5,170 hectares of land in Siraha this year. Of the mangoes grown, only 47,650 metric tons are expected to be considered appropriate for sending to the market. Last year, 45,150 metric tons of mangoes were produced in the district´s 5,100 hectares of land.



In the last few years, many of the farmers in Siraha are showing interest in planting mangoes on a commercial scale due to comparatively better returns. On top of that, farmers can harvest first lot of mangoes only three years after planting the seeds. As a result most of the fields on the northern side of the East-West Highway have converted into mango orchards. Maldaha, Bombai, Kalkatiya, Dashhari, Shipiya, Chaurasha are some of the varieties of mangoes grown in eastern Tarai.

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