Weather May Hit Crop By Half In UP Mango Belt

RENOWNED for their taste, size and variety, the mangoes from the Lucknow region are likely to be in shorter supply this year, believe the local growers, who wait for the season which offers a diverse selection, including Dussehri, Langda, Safeda, Chausa and Ramkela.

- NAMITA BAJPAI @ Lucknow

At the time of setting this year, even those trees that hadn't flowered in the last 2-4 years had bumper flowering, making the orchardists happy. They got busy preparing for a better crop. However, the strong winds in April and the first week of May dashed their hopes. About 50% of the flowers got damaged. With unseasonal rains now and then, the pests on the trees are giving the growers sleepless nights.