The state of Uttar Pradesh has seen the mango growers being hit by vagaries of nature as almost 30% of the crop have been damaged by bouts of unseasonal rains, gusty winds and hailstorms. This fury of nature in different parts of state has raised fears of poor availability and high cost of the king of fruits.
The mango growers’ woes are worse than that of other farmers as they are not entitled to the compensation granted by the government. The mango growers of Saharanpur have estimated that the losses amount to about 70%.
Mango orchards in Uttar Pradesh cover an area of about 3 lakh hectares and the annual output is 38 to 40 lakh tones. Though the government has announced compensation and relief for farmers whose crop has been destroyed in the rains and hailstorm, however those involved in the horticulture business are not covered.