Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, a prominent mango-producing region, is set to experience a substantial drop in its mango output this season, with estimates pointing to a nearly 39 per cent decline. Unseasonal rainfall, strong winds, and drastic temperature shifts during the critical flowering and fruit-setting phases have severely impacted the crop’s development.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the Horticulture Department has projected a yield of 14,552 metric tonnes (MT) for the 2026-27 season, a marked decrease from the 23,721 MT harvested in the previous year. The output for 2024-25 stood at 22,350 MT, highlighting the severity of the current season’s downturn.
The most pronounced effects of the adverse weather have been observed in the district’s primary mango-growing areas. Indora, which is the leading mango-producing block, is expected to yield approximately 6,000 MT this year, a significant reduction from last year’s 10,124 MT. In Nurpur, the production has fallen from 2,480 MT to an estimated 1,600 MT. Similarly, Nagrota Surian anticipates a yield of 1,500 MT, down from 2,481 MT recorded previously.
Kamalsheel Negi, Joint Director (Horticulture) for the North Zone, attributed the decline predominantly to weather anomalies experienced in March and April. These months are critical for mango trees as they undergo the essential stages of flowering and fruit setting. He explained that the typical flowering period for mangoes spans the first to the third week of March, followed by fruit setting from the last week of March through April. During this sensitive period, excessive humidity, rain, and temperature fluctuations can severely disrupt pollination processes, hinder fruit development, and consequently lead to reduced yields.
Negi further elaborated that optimal conditions for mango cultivation during flowering and fruit setting include dry, sunny weather and warm temperatures. He stated that an increase in humidity and rainfall during these stages can not only impede fruit development but also create an environment conducive to diseases, further exacerbating the yield reduction.
The weather-related challenges have not been confined to Kangra alone, affecting other significant mango-growing districts in Himachal Pradesh as well. Una district, which cultivates mangoes across approximately 2,300 hectares, is expected to produce around 2,000 MT this year, a sharp contrast to the 8,990 MT harvested in the previous year. Hamirpur district, with about 3,500 hectares dedicated to mango cultivation, anticipates a yield of only 1,200 MT this year, compared to 1,600 MT last year.
Mango, often referred to as the “king of fruits,” is primarily grown in the lower regions of Himachal Pradesh. Kangra remains the state’s largest contributor to mango production. Other districts where mango cultivation is substantial include Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and certain parts of Mandi.
The principal mango varieties cultivated in Kangra are Dashehari, Langra, and Chausa. In an effort to diversify cultivation and enhance productivity, the Horticulture Department has been actively promoting newer hybrid varieties. These include Pusa Arunima, Pusa Lalima, Pusa Surya, Pusa Shreshtha, Pusa Manohari, Malika, and Amrapali, which are being introduced to local farmers.
Alaksh Pathania, Deputy Director of Horticulture for Kangra, highlighted the department’s pioneering role in introducing hybrid, high-yielding varieties within the state. He noted that these late-maturing varieties tend to command premium prices in the market, offering potential benefits for the local fruit economy. Pathania also mentioned that the department had established field demonstrations in both private and government sectors, particularly in the Nurpur block, to showcase these varieties. During the 2021-22 period, approximately 2,089 plants of the Pusa series were cultivated in these demonstrations, with about 513 saplings subsequently distributed among local farmers.
The trees from these distributed saplings have reportedly begun bearing fruit this season. Pusa Arunima, Pusa Lalima, and Pusa Manohari have emerged as the top-performing among the newer varieties. Pathania further stated that an additional 970 saplings had been propagated this year, utilizing budwood sourced directly from these demonstration orchards, indicating continued efforts to expand the cultivation of these advanced mango varieties in the region.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
