SANGAREDDY: The country will not be able to maintain its presence in the international market if production of mangoes does not increase in the next three years, Horticulture University Vice-Chancellor S D Sikhamani feared.
He was speaking at a brainstorming session on mango cultivation here today. He suggested research to resolve problems being faced by the farmers growing mango orchards to improve yield. ``It is time scientists know about the practical problems of farmers in the fields and try to resolve them,’’ he said. It will be better if the experiences of the ryots are also take into consideration during research, he suggested.
District Collector S Suresh Kumar said he did not know much about growing mango orchards. He wondered why farmers were not able to get good yield in these days with the help of modern equipment and chemical fertilisers while farmers in olden days could produce more than that today even without any research and assistance from Agriculture officials. ``Scientists should focus on the issue,’’ he said.
Before Independence, there used to be an yield of 42 bags of paddy per acre in Krishna and Godavari districts, he reminded and questioned why it was not possible these days. There should be coordination between the farmers and scientists and the research should be more close to real life situations, he suggested.
Farmers in Kerala are able to get good rubber yield. They have been increasing the production and having a position in the international market only due to coordination between scientists and farmers, he said. Mango farmers from across the district participated in the session.