Mango cultivation, even under the best conditions, is known to be one of the most challenging fruit crops to grow. The success of mango farming depends on a delicate interplay of climate, tree physiology, and farming techniques. Achieving the right balance is especially critical for India, the world’s largest producer of mangoes, which harvests approximately 23 million tonnes annually—accounting for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total fruit production. However, in recent years, many mango farmers across India have found their livelihoods increasingly precarious due to changing environmental and economic factors.
Upendra Singh, a 62-year-old farmer from Malihabad in Uttar Pradesh, represents the struggles of many mango cultivators. Coming from a family that has been growing mangoes for four generations, Singh has witnessed firsthand how unpredictable mango farming has become. “Seasons no longer follow a pattern,” he explains. The once reliable cycles of flowering, fruiting, and harvesting have shifted erratically year after year, largely due to climate change. At the same time, input costs—such as pesticides, labor, and irrigation—have risen, while yields have declined. For farmers like Singh, this means spending more money but earning less, creating a difficult economic situation.
India’s mango diversity is vast, with nearly 700 varieties cultivated across the country, each region boasting its own dominant types. For example, the Dasheri variety is most common in northern India, Alphonso dominates in Maharashtra, and Langra and Malda varieties are prevalent in Bihar and West Bengal. Yet, despite this diversity, no farmer is immune to the impacts of climate change.
Dr. Hari Shankar Singh, a scientist at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR), highlights that mangoes are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Erratic weather patterns have become the norm, putting mango farming under increasing pressure. For instance, in the previous year, early flowering was followed by strong winds that damaged fruit development and accelerated maturity, resulting in significant crop loss. This year, unusually prolonged cold temperatures delayed flowering altogether in northern India, further disrupting production cycles.
To address these challenges and build resilience among farmers, researchers are working on developing new mango varieties that can tolerate broader temperature ranges and resist pests and diseases. However, this process is slow and complex. Mango trees take between five and ten years to mature and flower after being bred, and their biological nature adds another layer of difficulty. Mangoes are heterozygous, meaning the offspring rarely resemble their parent trees, making breeding a long-term, multi-decade scientific endeavor rather than a quick fix.
Genetic research is helping to accelerate progress. In 2016, a team led by ICAR successfully sequenced the mango genome, focusing on the Alphonso variety. This breakthrough has enabled scientists to identify genes associated with important traits such as fruit color, aroma, sweetness, flowering behavior, climate resilience, and disease tolerance. According to Dr. Hari Singh, this development has significantly shortened the traditional breeding timeline from 10 to 20 years, offering hope for faster innovation in mango cultivation.
Farmers, eager for practical solutions, are open to adopting new varieties and techniques. Upendra Singh, for example, has planted a newer type known as the “colored mango” in higher density than his older orchard. He appreciates that these colored varieties yield fruit every year, unlike traditional varieties such as Dasheri and Langra, which often experience “off years” with low production.
Modern cultivation practices are also making a difference. Scientific pruning, canopy management, and the use of growth regulators help control tree size, induce flowering, and synchronize harvest times. ICAR actively promotes several such techniques to farmers. One simple yet effective method is "bagging," where individual fruits are enclosed in breathable protective covers during early development. This creates a controlled micro-environment that reduces insect infestations, fungal infections, mechanical damage, and excessive sun exposure.
Another recommended practice is “girdling,” which involves making a narrow ring cut on selected branches. This controlled stress redirects the tree’s energy toward flowering and fruit development. Additionally, older orchards can be rejuvenated by reducing tree height to between 14 and 18 feet. This practice dramatically improves flowering, increases fruit size, and upgrades fruit quality from lower grades to premium “A-grade.”
Some mango farmers are pushing the boundaries further by integrating scientific methods into their operations. Neeti Goel from Alibhaug, Maharashtra, started mango farming