The mango season at the Talala marketing yard, known for its famous Gir Kesar mangoes, has concluded with disappointing results. This year has been particularly challenging for farmers and traders. The first auction took place on April 26, 2025, and ended on June 8, marking a total of 44 days for the season. During this time, only 449,450 boxes of mangoes were recorded, the lowest yield since the 2001-2002 season, which had 431,430 boxes. Although prices reached an average of 750 rupees for 10 kilos in 2001-2002, this year, despite the price dropping to 560 rupees, the income has significantly decreased. The primary reasons for this decline are adverse weather conditions and unseasonal rains, which caused substantial damage to the mango crops. The chairman of the Talala marketing yard stated that the estimated sales from this season were around 24 to 26 crore rupees. However, many consider this year to be extremely poor for both farmers and traders. The weather changes and irregular rainfall have led to this unfortunate outcome. Farmers had hoped for a better season, especially given the popularity of Kesar mangoes, which are well-loved in Gujarat and beyond. The challenges faced this year remind us of the vulnerabilities within agriculture, especially in the face of climate change. The Talala marketing yard remains the only centre for Kesar mango auctions in the Gir area, and the future of the upcoming seasons will depend on improved weather patterns and effective agricultural practices. Farmers are eager to see what next year will bring, hoping for a return to better yields and prices. The mango season is vital for the local economy, and all eyes will be on how the situation develops in the coming months as they prepare for the next harvest. Local markets and traders are cautiously optimistic that the coming years will bring a revival in yield quality and quantity, allowing them to recover from this difficult season. As the season comes to a close, the focus will now shift to strategising for the next cycle of mango production, with hopes of overcoming the challenges posed by nature and ensuring a brighter future for the Kesar mango industry in Gujarat.
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