Make Mangoes Great Again? As Heat Waves Toast India’s Finest Alphonsos Climate Change Plays Spoilsport to Summer’s Sweetest Tradition

If mangoes had a campaign slogan, it would be “Make India Sweet Again” and for a good reason. Mangoes are not  just a fruit in this country, they are an emotion, a summer ritual and a billion dollar contributor to India’s agricultural economy.

Illustration by The Geostrata

From the sun drenched orchards of Maharashtra’s Konkan coast which is the home to legendary Alphonso, to the plantations of Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, mangoes are woven into the fabric of Indian culture, cuisine and commerce.

Yet as climate change tightens its grip, the king of fruits is facing a coup. Unseasonal heat waves and unpredictable flowering are threatening both the quantity and quality of India’s prized mangoes. As horticulture across India reels from rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns the fate of the mango has become a litmus test for the resilience of Indian agriculture itself.

THE INDIAN MANGO BELT

The Konkan region, famous for its Alphonso mangoes has become ground zero for climate induced agricultural distress. Traditionally, the region enjoys a sumptuous flowering period from December to February with fruits ripening in the months later on. However, this cycle has been thrown into disarray because of excessive heat during the critical flowering stage. “Mango production is expected to be lower this year. Flowering in all three stages is low,” says Vidyadhar Joshi, who owns a mango orchard in Devgad in Sindhudurg district.

The first flush of flowering accounts for 20 per cent of the mango production, while the other two make up for about 40 per cent each.

Uttar Pradesh, which is home to some treasured varieties like Chausa, Langra and Dussehri, has become a victim to climate disruptions as well. The intense heat waves have affected flowering and pollination, particularly affecting early ripening of varieties such as Dussehri. ​​As a result yields have drastically fallen to just 30–35% of typical levels with Lucknow’s output alone dropping by half over the past three years.

DRIVERS OF DECLINE

A complicated network of interconnected factors is causing the decline in mango production. Mango tree’s traditional phenological cycles have been upset by the early arrival of summer and more unpredictable rainfall, resulting in irregular fruiting. During dry spells, orchards which frequently lack a strong irrigation infrastructure face significant soil moisture stress, and unexpected rains increase the risk of fungal infections. 

The spread of diseases like powdery mildew and anthracnose, as well as an increase in pest infestations like fruit flies and mealybugs, have also been brought on by warmer and wetter weather, which further lowers crop quality and yield. Due to the effective breakdown of the once predictable flowering and harvesting calendar, farming decisions and market planning are now extremely risky and uncertain.

IMPACT OF THE BITTERSWEET FALLOUT

Declining mango yields have repercussions that extend far beyond the orchard, disrupting both social harmony and economic stability throughout India's mango heartlands. Millions of small and marginal farmers are on the front lines, and their livelihoods depend critically on the fruit's seasonal generosity. 

Financial distress has worsened as a result of yield collapses, leading to distress migration and the forced departure of many from rural life in pursuit of uncertain urban alternatives. As quality issues and declining volumes undermine trust among discriminating importers in Europe and the Middle East, India's mango diplomacy, headed by the renowned Alphonso, has suffered on a global scale. Back home, the promise of agrotourism and the allure of regional mango festivals, once thriving forces behind rural renewal, now wither under the weight of unpredictable harvests.

SCIENCE, SCHEMES, AND STRATEGY CAN SAVE THE MANGO’S SKIN

On the scientific front, research centres are creating climate-resilient breeds such as Awadh-Abhaya and Awadh-Samriddhi, which are bred for longer shelf life and heat tolerance, two qualities that are crucial in a climate that is becoming more unpredictable. Better grafting methods and canopy management practices help trees navigate temperature extremes and maximise fruit production at the orchard level. 

In meanwhile, agroforestry, mulching, and micro-irrigation systems have been adopted to lessen thermal stress and preserve valuable soil moisture. While their resilience against the realities of climate volatility is still up for debate, government interventions through programs like the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), the National Horticulture Board (NHB), and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) offer vital insurance and infrastructure support. 

A robust, multi-layered policy response is critical for preserving India's mango heritage; quilted is not enough. The various agriculture-climate variables found in mango-growing belts must be taken into consideration in region-specific adaptation plans, which should then customise solutions to local weather patterns, soil types, and varietal needs.

Farmers shall be able to make timely, scientifically supported decisions about irrigation, pest control, and harvests once agro-meteorological advisories are strengthened.

India’s mango crisis is a microcosm of the broader agrarian emergency triggered by climate change. Diminished yields, deteriorating quality, economic hardship, and cultural upheaval are the effects that require immediate attention.

Although resilient breeds and new adaptation techniques provide some hope, the scope of the problem necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. 

Scientists, policymakers, and farmers must join forces to ensure that the summer’s sweetest tradition does not become a casualty of a warming world. Only then can we truly make mangoes great again for the farmers who grow them, the families who cherish them and the generations yet to taste their golden promise.

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BY ARYAVEER SHARMA CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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