SATV, Kathmandu, Mar.3 - It is expected that there will be a significant increase in mango production in the districts of Tarai-Madhes, including Mahottari, this year. Farmers are excited after mango trees have blossomed abundantly. They are optimistic about the increase in production due to the good flowering.
Mango trees have blossomed in places ranging from small gardens to large commercial plantations. Mango is a crop grown in an 'alternate bearing' system — one year it bears more fruit and the next year less — so production is expected to rise this year as the flowering season has begun, said Abiral Kumar Mahato, Horticulture Development Officer at the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Mahottari.
According to Mahato, since the flowering is good this year, there is a possibility that production could increase up to three times. It is estimated that the yield will meet expectations if the weather remains favourable and there is no damage from wind or hail. Devananda Raya Yadav, acting chief of the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Mahottari, also stated that mango production is projected to be good across the district this year.
"Mango is a crop that produces more one year and less the next. It seems that there will be a good yield from all sides this year,” he said. Although mango orchards have been planted throughout the district, commercial orchards are cultivated in Bardibas, Gaushala, Aurahi, Matihani, Manarashishwa and Jaleshwor municipalities, as well as Pipara Rural Municipality areas.
Most farmers in Khayarmara, Tuteshwor, Dhungre, Gadhanta, Cheru, Sonapeti, Baradanda, Maisthan, Patu, Bhabsi, Bijalpura and Pashupatinagar of Bardibas Municipality have mango orchards. Similarly, Padaria, Kalipur, Bharatpur, Laxminiya, Phulkaha, Belgachhi, Kushmadi, Rajkhor and Ramnagar in Gaushala Municipality are regarded as key areas for horticulture.
This year, mangoes have been cultivated across approximately 6,600 hectares of land in the district. According to Ram Daresh Yadav, a farmer from Aurahi Municipality-2, production is expected to double this year compared to last, as the flowers have started blooming well from the outset.
Mangoes are commercially cultivated in all eight districts of Madhes Province, including Mahottari, Dhanusha, Saptari, Siraha, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa. The tropical soil here produces various varieties of mangoes, such as Maldaha, Dashahari, Amrapali, Bamoi, and Kalkatiya, which are considered delicious, juicy, and nutritious.
According to statistics, out of the 42,773 hectares of land where mangoes are planted nationwide, only 29,099 hectares are utilised in Madhes Province. Similarly, around 77 per cent of the country’s total mango production comes from Madhes Province alone. Since mangoes produced in Madhes are in high demand in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, it is common practice for traders to lease orchards as soon as flowering begins.
To ease the burden of maintenance and transportation to markets, farmers often prefer to lease their orchards to traders during the flowering stage.
