Watch | Save the Indian Mango: How farmers are hoping to tide over COVID-19 crisis

 

India is a leading producer and exporter of mangoes. The country grows about 1,500 varieties and exports nearly 50,000 tonnes of mangoes annually.

Also read | How Dapoli’s Noshirwan Mistry is planning to save this year’s mango harvest

Rare varieties such as Azam-us-Samar are sent from the Nizam’s family in Hyderabad to Queen Elizabeth. Mallika, a cross between Neelam from Tamil Nadu and Dussehri from Lucknow are popular in South Korea.

But with the COVID-19 lockdown, exports which traditionally happen in May look uncertain. Mango output in 2020 has already been impacted by delayed monsoon, cyclones and other climactic factors.

Also read | We must seek out different local varieties of mangoes: Vikram Doctor

As fruits harvested early lie unsold, farmers are looking at alternatives to tide over this crisis.