Cracking of mango fruits following the appearance of black spots in Samrang Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag dashed farmers’ hope of earning a good income from selling the fruit.
Villagers started growing mangoes from 2014 thinking that they would earn some income however they are now worried as the disease is damaging the fruit just as the picking season is around the corner.
Most of the mangoes on the trees in Samrang Gewog can be seen cracked, villagers say the infected mango develops a black mark and the fruit cracks within a few days. They were expecting a bountiful harvest.
In 2014 Dzongkhag agriculture sector distributed more than 270 mango saplings to 10 households and again in 2017 Samrang Gewog administration distributed more than 1000 mango saplings to 30 households.
After planting mango saplings it takes four to five years to bear fruits, and villagers say so far they haven’t earned any good income from selling mangoes.
Sangita, a farmer in Samrang Gewog said, the mysterious disease came at a time when she was ready to pick the fruit. “The cracking started before the time of harvest. Agriculture officer told me that they suspect it is due to lack of water and manure but from my side, I have watered and put enough manure. Till now I haven’t sold much, all the mangoes are cracking and fall down, we have nothing to sell,” she said.
“I was expecting a good harvest. The trees bending with plenty of fruits, and then the cracking started. We hardly sold any mangoes,” shared Kishore Rai, also a farmer from the same gewog.
The Dzongkhag Agriculture Official says cracking of mangoes could be due to many reasons such as soil having high acidity and or due to high temperature and heavy rainfall and among others. Officials also said direct sunlight on fruits after rainfall can also cause the cracks.
Villagers have reported their plight to agriculture officials this year only and agriculture officials say for this season they cannot identify the reason of developing cracks on mangoes, however, they will test the soil and come for necessary action from next season.
Officials also said villagers need to maintain the mango tree properly.
Kinley Wangchuk
