24 February 2025, New Delhi: Mango growers in Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts are facing an unusual delay in flowering, sparking fears of lower yields and higher irrigation costs as summer approaches. Typically, mango trees begin flowering between December and January, but this year, the process has been delayed by nearly a month. This shift could prolong the fruit’s ripening period, increasing the demand for water at a time when temperatures are set to rise. Farmers are appealing for government assistance, particularly subsidies to help manage irrigation costs if a heatwave occurs.
The past two seasons have already been difficult for mango cultivators in the region. In 2023, an extreme heatwave affected more than 90% of the 47,000 hectares of mango orchards, while the previous year saw widespread damage from a hopper fly infestation. A. Murugesan, a farmer from Periyampatti, highlighted the financial risks, explaining, “Mango cultivation provides income only once a year, and most of it goes back into maintaining the orchards. The delay in flowering raises concerns about pest attacks and increased water usage, making our situation even more uncertain.”
R. Sibiraj from Karimangalam noted that heavy fog in recent weeks might have disrupted the flowering cycle, while K.M. Soundararajan from Krishnagiri stressed the economic burden on farmers. “Last year, to save their trees from scorching temperatures, many farmers had to take loans just to afford irrigation. The fear of another heatwave adds to their distress,” he said.
However, officials from the horticulture department in Dharmapuri have linked the delayed flowering to Cyclone Fengal, which brought excessive rainfall and increased soil moisture. “This is not a major concern,” an official reassured. “Now that summer is beginning, moisture levels are stabilizing, and flowering has resumed. We do not foresee any significant impact on production.”
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