Mangoes of Muthalamada fails; Rs 150 crore loss

PALAKKAD: Its dooms day for Muthalamada and its ripeneing mangoes. The sweltering heat and the infections in the region have heaved a loss of Rs 150 crores. The place is one of the biggest centers of mango production in the world, but a dull season is putting up many questions regarding the management and the government's role in preserving it. The turnover that many times crossed the Rs 700 crores mark now fell by one-third of it. Usually, it was 50-75 tonnes of mangoes that get transported to north India daily. After the fall, now the numbers are just 20 tonnes.

The yield was poor and bacteria and other infectants gifted predicament to the farmers in this scenic place. Normally, the ripe ones cost around Rs 150, however now, the farmers are somehow happy if a buyer takes it at Rs 70. More than 20,000 people are dependent on the farm and production. The owners who took lease to cultivate the mangoes are apprehensive about meeting the expense in the coming days.

The extensive use of pesticides distanced bees and other flies that came to taste the juices of the fresh mangoes from Muthalamada. It has considerably affected sales. According to the mango package, the government allotted a scientist to suggest to the farmer about possible alternatives for a good yield, but the move never met its target as the scientist left without a long stay.