Due to the erratic rainy season this year, Kurnool district farmers have turned to mango cultivation on a large scale. In the combined district, up to 80 per cent of the plantations are dedicated to the renowned Banginapally (Benishan) variety, while the remaining 20 per cent include other popular varieties such as Imam Pasand, Dilpasand, Neelam and Totapuri. They hope for a bountiful mango harvest as a lifeline to overcome their agricultural debts and financial problems.
The Banginapalli mango received geographical identity (GI) status in 2017, in view of its unique and specific regional characteristics. There has been a significant increase in the total area dedicated to mango cultivation in both Kurnool and Nandyal districts.
Andhra Pradesh is recognized as the second-largest mango-growing state, with an extensive cultivation area of 431,000 hectares. The annual production is around 4.35 mln tons. Mango cultivation dominates a significant 68 per cent of the total cultivated area in the state.
Source: deccanchronicle.com