Higher Mango Dispatch To North Despite Decline In Production

Hyderabad: Despite a vast decline in mango output this year, farmers and traders in Krishna district are sending more mangoes to markets in the North than last year. Using the special trains in Vijayawada division of South Central Railway (SCR), the farmers have so far been able to send 31,330 tonnes in 30 rakes against a total of 31,850 tonnes from 30 rakes in 2006-07. The division mulls to operate four-five rakes more this season to help the farmers and traders reach out the northern market where there is great demand for Banginapally variety. It's not just mango farmers that are benefited; the division too earned good revenues out of this business. The year 2003-04 registered highest loading of 48,658 tonnes from 50 rakes, followed by 38,255 tonnes from 39 rakes in 2005-06. The SCR charges only 50 per cent of the normal freight charges for mangoes as they come under the bracket of perishable products. As a result, the size of revenues might not cross Rs 5.4 crore earned by the division last year from mango business.