The soaring heat brings with it sweet-smelling luscious mangoes, but this year the king of fruits may seem like an indulgence for many as the price of the fruits has gone up by 50%.
Unexpected rain in the beginning of the year and the infestation of mango hoppers have affected the yield, say farmers from Salem, the mango-producing hub of Tamil Nadu. The district recorded only 10% to 15% yield till March against 30% last year. Neighbouring Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, which are also known for their mangoes, also have low yields this season.
A Seshachalam, a farmer from Varagampadi, said, “Mango hoppers are wreaking havoc on our farms. Despite being an organic farmer, I am forced to spray insecticides on the mango trees, but to no avail. I have spent nearly Rs3. 5 lakh on insecticides till now. ” He said several mango farms in Salem district are infested by the pest, and there has been no help from the agricultural and horticultural department officials.
Another farmer R Raja said. “My expense for insecticides is Rs10,000 a week. The mango hoppers will feed on the buds of the flowers and emit a liquid that infects other parts of the tree too,” Raja said. A district horticulture department official said mango hoppers invade every year. “We are asking farmers to use a combination of insecticide solutions,” the official said.
The chaos in the farms is spilling on to the market. “After a lull because of Covid-19, we expected brisk business this year. But unexpected rain across the state has reduced the yield to 15%,” said S Umapathi, a wholesale mango trader in Salem.
Mango season usually begins by mid-March, but the change in weather patterns has led to a delay. According to traders, only 5 to 10 tonnes of mangoes are arriving in the market daily as compared with 50 tonnes earlier.
President of Mango Growers and Traders Association A Jayapal said the price per kilo of alphonso mango has been increased to Rs150 from Rs100. “We have also increased the price of malgova and bangalora mangoes from Rs120/kg to Rs200/kg,” he said.
Illegal methods of ripening
Using chemical packets to ripen fruits is a violation of the food safety act. Penalty is fine with or without imprisonment Calcium carbide wrapped in small packets and placed between fruits Ethylene sachets kept below straws in packed boxes
Naturally ripened mangoes sink in water, others float Artificially-ripened fruits have a uniform colour Artificially-ripened fruits have a milder aroma, are not juicy and supple Chemicals give fruit colour but not the taste If the mango that you buy isn’t tasty or supple enough, it has been possibly ripened artificially with calcium carbide. Earlier this week, nearly 200kg of mangoes were seized and destroyed by food safety authorities. “The vendors were asked to pay a fine of Rs5,000 and cases were booked against them for violating food safety rules,” said food safety officer for Chennai Dr P Satheesh Kumar.
The use of chemicals to ripen fruits in the market complex isn’t new. In 2021, more than eight tonnes of mangoes were destroyed in the market and nearly 60 traders fined with cases being filed against them before the DRO. Besides mangoes, traders and vendors use harmful chemicals to ripen bananas, papayas and chikoo in summer.
Apart from poor taste and quality, these mangoes can put you at the risk of headache, dizziness, sleep disorders, affecting the neurological system, causing memory loss and cancer. Despite the ban on calcium carbide, for the past few weeks wholesale fruit and vegetable markets in Koyambedu have seen hordes of chemically ripened, nicknamed, ‘masala’, fruits. Some traders also use ethylene packets in packed mangoes.