Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to enhance the production and quality of mangoes in the state’s orchards.
The government has now exempted UP farmers from the requirement of getting permission from any government department for pruning mango trees.
Mango producers can simply carry out pruning of mango trees and reduce their height to enhance their productivity.
This decision simplifies canopy management for old mango orchards, and its positive effects will be evident in the coming years. Canopy management will rejuvenate old mango orchards, making them as productive as new ones.
As a result, not only will production increase, but the quality of the fruits will also improve, opening new doors for export opportunities.
Mango, it is noteworthy, is a significant fruit in Uttar Pradesh. The state produces 4.5 million tons of mangoes from 260,000 hectares of cultivation. About 40 per cent (roughly 100,000 hectares) of these orchards are over forty years old.
These conditions lead to higher insect and disease infestations and make applying pesticides effectively challenging. Consequently, the sprayed medicine often does not reach the inner parts of the trees, leading to increased pesticide use and environmental pollution. The productivity of such orchards is barely 7 tonnes per hectare, whereas well-managed orchards can yield 12-14 tonnes per hectare.
To address these issues, the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture has developed a proper pruning technique for renovating these mango trees.
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