India mango crop fails due to changing climate

Vishnu Pandey / Kanpur March 2, 2009, 0:37 IST Rising global temperatures have quashed the hopes of thousands of farmers in Uttar Pradesh. While the trees have blossomed prematurely due to the climatic changes arising from high temperatures, farmers are now worried about the huge losses of the crop, which may occur if there is a subsequent dip in temperature. Fruits and Vegetable Merchant Association (FVMA) member Naveen Chawla told Business Standard that at least Rs 250 crore invested by mango future contract traders were at the risk of being lost due to premature blooming. The flowers stand high chances of shedding if the temperature even dips by a few points. “The fruit will ripen around 45 days earlier than the normal cycle and we will be forced to sell the harvest at throwaway prices to avoid rotting,” he added. A similar situation had occurred in 2003 and 2005, when the flowers were shed due to temperature dip later in the month of March. …