Malda (West Bengal), June 7: Inclement rain at the time of flowering and a disease in the growing stage of the fruit caused about 60 per cent slash in the production of mango this year in Malda, the district of quality mangoes in the state. The total loss due to less production might well reach Rs 25 crore, according to the president of the Malda Mango Merchants' Association, Haripada Sarkar.The reason behind the high price of mangoes this year was the continuous and untimely rain accompanied by hailstorm during the last week of April, which resulted in the fall of flowers and tiny fruits. Moreover, 50 per cent of those left in the trees were also found to be suffering from a disease in which the mangoes had developed black or brown spots. But, Sarkar said, the situation was not so bad in the beginning. The flowers seen were much more than expected in an off year like this, when the farmers were prepared to get 25 per cent of what they expect in a bumper or normal year. Sarker was afraid that the fall inmango production might bring economic crisis in the district as about 70 per cent of its people directly or indirectly depend on mango business.
