Annual Mango Mela to begin on May 7 as heat delays harvest and reduces yield

After a delay this year due to heat-induced disruptions to the harvest, the Horticulture Department, along with the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (Mango Board), will host the annual Mango Mela in the city starting May 7.

The first mela will be held at Cubbon Park from May 7, with mangoes from Bengaluru South (Ramanagara), Tumakuru and Dharwad, as produce from these districts arrives early in the season. This will be followed by another mela at Lalbagh from May 20, featuring mangoes from Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Belagavi and other districts, Vedamurthy T.R., Managing Director of the Mango Board, told The Hindu. The annual fair at Lalbagh will also host a variety of jackfruit.

Also read: The mangoes of India | Visual Story

Delay due to heat

This season, the heat has not only delayed the harvest but also drastically reduced the yield. While farmers were anticipating a surplus this year, the yield is now expected to be around 11 lakh tonnes, compared to the usual 16 lakh tonnes cultivated across 1.5 lakh hectares, as per the board.