India’s Mango Sector Adopts New Methods to Tackle Climate Challenges

India’s mango industry is responding to climate-related disruptions by introducing new technologies, improved crop varieties, and sustainable farming practices to maintain production and quality.

Erratic weather patterns, including unseasonal and heavy rainfall, have affected mango yields across several states in recent years. Research centres in Tamil Nadu, Tripura, and Telangana have reported yield reductions ranging from 10% to 80% between 2021 and 2025 due to these weather events and related pest outbreaks.

To address these challenges, agricultural institutions and government agencies have introduced a range of adaptation strategies. Bihar Agricultural University secured a patent for a hydrogel derived from mango seed kernels, which laboratory tests found could absorb water up to four times its weight. This innovation aims to help farmers manage water availability more effectively during unpredictable rainfall.

Farmers are also adopting advanced cultivation methods such as ultra-high-density planting, which places trees closer together to increase land use efficiency and speed up fruit production. Drip irrigation systems are being used to conserve water and deliver nutrients directly to the root zone, with reported savings of 50% to 70% in water use.

What the numbers show

• Tamil Nadu’s Periyakulam centre saw 75%-80% mango yield loss in 2024
• Tripura’s Lembucherra centre reported 10%-20% annual losses from 2021-2025
• Pusa Arunima mango variety yields about 16 tonnes per hectare
• Farmers in Chittoor now spray pesticides four to five times per season

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute developed the Pusa Arunima mango variety, which yields approximately 16 tonnes per hectare and extends the fruiting season into late July or early August. This variety also offers improved resistance to pests and diseases and a longer shelf life compared to traditional types.

In Karnataka’s Koppal district, NABARD launched a pilot project involving 3,500 mango farmers to explore carbon credit opportunities through biomass management and tree planting. The initiative includes mandatory border plantations, with saplings provided at no cost by the local forest department.

Other adaptation measures include integrated pest management, which combines biological, cultural, and chemical controls to reduce pest pressure. Grafted saplings are being used for their consistency, early fruiting, and disease resistance. Farmers are also turning to digital platforms for market access and using improved packaging and cold storage to reduce post-harvest losses.

In Jharkhand, unseasonal rain led to increased fruit fly infestations and early fruit rot. In Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor region, farmers have increased the number of pesticide applications due to new pests and fungal threats. Officials in Chittoor provided protective fruit covers and a small subsidy for Totapuri mango growers in 2025 to help manage these risks.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.