In February and March, drought was the villain. Now, it is the turn of the summer rain to dent Muthalamada’s reputation as the State’s mango capital. In the orchards, spread over 45,000 hectares in this grama panchayat bordering Tamil Nadu, yield has declined by about 30 per cent because of the unseasonal rain. The severe drought earlier in the year had already robbed the farmers of a major profit share.
“It seems climate change is affecting mango cultivation in Muthalamada,” says leading cultivator C.A. Badhrudheen. Muthalamada mangoes often reach the market ahead of the produce from other major mango farming regions such as Salem in Tamil Nadu. But the trees flowered late this season, perhaps because of unfavourable climate, thus hitting exports.
The region has about 3,500 mango cultivators and most of them have had a bad season. “Rain has eroded the quality of Muthalamada mangoes which, in turn, will affect their export prospects. No bumper harvest was reported from anywhere in the region,” says Arumugan Pathichira, a social activist based in Muthalamada. Demand is less from domestic market too as mangos from other regions have already flooded the market.
“Muthalamada mangoes are usually the first to reach global markets too, much before the fruits mature in competitor countries, chiefly Peru and Venezuela. The situation has changed,” says K.G. Kannadas, a local person.
The recent decision of the European Union (EU) to lift a ban on Indian mangoes, which had been on for seven months, had turned the tide in favour of the Muthalamada farmers. But now they feel that they will not be able to make the most of the situation. Normally, Muthalamada produces almost all the sought-after mangoes in India — Alphonso, Neelam, Mallika, Malgova, Chenthooram. All are in much demand in the global market. Muthalamada mangoes are also known for their flavour, taste, and juiciness.
