The prolonged cold spell, which lasted till March, and frequent rains and hailstorms have hit the crop hard. The attack of Jhumka disease and large-cale felling of fruit-bearing trees added to it. Also this is off year for the mango orchards.

The supply to various states from this belt may not exceed 50 tonnes per day this season in comparison to last year's 150 to 200 tonnes per day. The total production in the state is likely to be less than 37 lakh tonnes. Though mango trees are found in the entire state, there are 15 belts in 13 districts of the state where about 20 to 30 per cent of the area is covered by mango orchards. Malihabad is the biggest belt. In 1997-98, the total production was 29,1921 tonnes and the area under the crop was 2,58,687hectares.

In 1996-97, the production was 2,89,0738 tonnes and the area under the crop was 2,72,365 hectares. In 1995-96, the area under the crop was 2,70,305 hectares and the production 2,12,0027 tonnes.

Among the mango producing countries India is placed first. The share of this country in the total production is 62 per cent. Last year, the total production in the country was 110 lakh tonnes. This year it may not exceed 70 lakh tonnes.

Rains and hailstorms have damaged the crop in the rural areas of Lucknow, Kakori, Mall and Mohan, Malihabad, Karimganj, Farrukhabad, Pratapgarh, Allahabad, Saharanpur, Muzzafarnagar, Sandila, Hardoi and Barabanki. The Jhumka disease has hit the crop hard in Allahabad, Lucknow, Barabanki, Unnao, Hardoi, Sitapur and Pratapgarh districts. It may be mentioned here that the scientists have not yet identified the causes of the disease and suggested any remedy. Adding to the woes of the growers is the scarcity of power to run tubewells to irrigate orchards. Despite repeatedassurances by the Horticulture Minister nothing has been done so far. Many fed-up growers are now shifting to more remunerative business like nurseries.