Farmers in Bihar Worried About Mango and Litchi Harvests as Mercury Rises

Bihar News: The average maximum temperature in Bihar in the last week has been three to four degrees higher than normal, which is becoming a serious concern for the litchi and mango growers.

If the abnormally warm weather in February continues, agriculture specialists warn that Bihar's litchi and mango crops might be damaged.

According to the ministry of agriculture, Bihar is the leading producer of litchis and fourth state to grow mangoes in the nation.

Scientists estimate that if hot weather conditions arrive in the state early, crop losses might reach 40 to 60%.

As per media report, Dr. Mohammad Feza Ahmad, (Associate Director of the research wing at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour) warned of low yields due to high-temperature fluctuations. He said daytime temperatures across almost the whole state have been significantly higher in February than usual. He further said that the temperature conditions which were earlier seen during the second and third weeks of March (30 to-31-degree range) can been seen now.

Mango production, which ranges from 13 to 15 lakh tonnes annually, is being carried out on about six lakh hectares in the state this year. According to scientists, there are more than 40,000 hectares of litchi orchards, and the production ranges from 4 to 6 lakh tonnes.

A mango farmer Anand Shankat from the Bhagalpur district's Tilakpur village remarked, that usually, mango trees blossom around Saraswati Puja, but this year, they did quite earlier. Because of the extreme cold that was present in the state at that time, they all went black. Farmers are struggling this year because the weather is changing so frequently which is a major concern for them.

Even the litchi crop is anticipated to be negatively impacted by the scorching weather.

The regional center of the meteorological department told that the state is experiencing temperatures three to four degrees above average and that this weather will persist for the next several days, which Kumar described as the most annoying aspect.

As per agriculture minister Kumar Sarvjeet, the concerns affecting the producers of mangoes and litchis will be resolved quickly.