The mango harvest in Khammam has been negatively impacted by bad weather, resulting in varying yields of half a tonne to four tonnes per acre. Farmers have suffered losses due to salicylic disease and mango pests in some areas.
In the past, hundreds of mango markets were set up across the united Khammam district, with traders exporting mangoes to Hyderabad, Nagpur, Delhi, and Rajasthan. However, this year only a few markets are operating in some mandals.
Mangoes from Khammam usually fetch good prices early in the season, but this year prices have dropped by half. The cost of a tonne of Banginapalli mangoes has decreased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 20,000-25,000. Totapuri mangoes are now selling for only Rs 15,000 per tonne.
Poor quality fruit, along with untimely wind and rain, has led to a significant decrease in mango output, impacting growers’ income. Many farmers believe that the drop in demand is due to traders seeking higher-quality mangoes from other regions of the state.
Mango plantations have expanded in many areas of the state, with high-quality mangoes being produced in Kolhapur, Tandoor, Vikarabad, and other parts. Some farmers in Khammam are switching to oil palm cultivation due to poor mango output and low demand for their crop. The acreage dedicated to mango plantations in the joint Khammam district has decreased from 1.5 lakh acres to 42,350 acres, with farmers now cultivating 31,350 acres in Khammam district and 11,000 acres in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
