The much-anticipated mango season in Andhra Pradesh has taken a severe hit as unseasonal weather conditions wreak havoc on harvest-ready crops across the state. Heavy rains, gusty winds, and unexpected temperature fluctuations have led to widespread damage, particularly in major mango-growing districts such as Chittoor, Nuzvid, and East Godavari.
Farmers, who had nurtured their orchards through months of hard work and investment, are now staring at significant financial losses. The sudden shift in weather during the ripening stage caused many mangoes to fall prematurely, while fungal infections triggered by excess moisture are threatening the quality of the remaining produce.
Agriculture officials have started preliminary assessments and are urging the government to consider compensation packages for affected farmers. Experts warn that this weather-induced setback could impact not only the local markets but also the mango export supply chain, especially for premium varieties like Banganapalli and Suvarnarekha.
Farmers are also demanding more robust crop insurance schemes and weather forecasting systems to minimize future risks. The incident underscores the increasing vulnerability of agriculture to climate change and the urgent need for adaptive strategies.