RAJKOT: The auction of Gujarat's famous kesar mango commenced on Saturday at Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Gir-Somnath district, the main market for the fruit in Saurashtra region. However, this season mango lovers may not be able to savour kesar much as farmers are expecting 40% dip in production due to varying climatic conditions.On Saturday, over 108 tonnes of kesar mango (10,825 boxes of approx 10kg each) arrived in the market and was sold at average rate of Rs 285 per box, a little less than the last year. In 2016, the auctions had begun on May 3 with arrival of 1,890 tonnes of kesar mango and the average price of a 10kg box was Rs 360.Mango orchard owners have estimated that this year kesar mango season was likely to extend till June 10 against May-end in the previous years.In 2015-16, mango production in Gujarat was 12.41 lakh tonnes, of which nearly 2 lakh tonnes were estimated to be of kesar grown in Junagadh, Gir-Somnath and Amreli districts. Gujarat accounts for 6% of the total production of mangoes and is the fifth largest mango producing state in the country.Mango cultivator and members of Talala APMC, Dayabhai Vaghashiya, said that kesar mango farmers will be facing problem this year as production was likely to decrease by over 40%."Earlier, mango growers were happy when they saw good flowering. But suddenly weather changed and the flowering did not covert into fruits. Later disease appeared on the crop causing significant damage," Mango cultivator and members of Talala APMC, Dayabhai Vaghashiya said.He said that farmers' leaders had urged state government to consider mango crop failure and provide compensation to mango growers.According to H H Jarsaniya , secretary, Talala APMC, auctions of kesar mango on Saturday ranged from Rs 195 to Rs 525 per 10kg box.He too said that change in climate this year has affected the overall production. On the arrival of kesar mangoes at Talala market, Jarsaniya said, "We expect higher quantity to arrive after May 15. Till then on an average 5,000-6,000 boxes (of 10kg each) are likely to arrive for auction daily."

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