Delayed flowering leaves mango farmers worried

FARMERS in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri are worried over the late flowering of mango trees and fear the yield could be affected as summer is around the corner.

- JEVIN SELWYN HENRY @Dharmapuri

The usual flowering season is in December-January. The delay in flowering would delay ripening which in turn will increase need for watering in summer, farmers said. They have urged the government to provide subsidy to buy water in case of heat wave.

To mango farmers, each flower holds the promise of a delicious fruit. But farmers cannot but feel anxious, as the last two years have been unfavourable to them in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri. Last year, there was an intense heat wave that impacted over 90% of the total 47,000 hectares of cultivation and the year before, trees were affected by hopper fly attack.