With the temperatures on the rise and the subsequent crop decay, the production of fruits and vegetables is expected to fall up to 30 per cent this season. The early unexpected onset of summer has led to a massive flower and fruit drop according to mango farmers in the country. The change in climatic pattern is also expected to come down heavily on the production of fruits like watermelons, bananas, lychee, citrus and cashew crops, experts said. The experts added that the vegetables like cabbage, cauliflowers, leafy vegetables and tomatoes will be of lower nutritional content and smaller size.
Meanwhile, farmers say that the production of high-value Alphonso mangoes in Maharashtra is most likely to be hit by about 40 per cent. Last month was the hottest February recorded in the country with 29.5 degrees Celsius as the average maximum temperature.
Source: deccanherald.com
