In the coastal town of Devgad in Maharashtra state, India, 26-year-old farmer Komal Walke is scrambling to source Alphonso mangoes from larger farms after her family's 1.2-hectare orchard produced almost no harvest this year.
Walke, an agronomist, said erratic weather has completely ruined her family's mango season. To keep her father's business alive, she has been forced to buy mangoes from wholesalers at higher prices to fulfill orders from online grocery stores.
Alphonso, known as the 'king of mangoes,' is India's premium variety and typically commands high export prices. However, climate change—including unseasonal rains and unusual heatwaves—is severely impacting the yield and quality of this fruit.
Many small farmers in Maharashtra, India's main Alphonso-producing state, face a similar plight. The sharp decline in output not only threatens the livelihoods of thousands of growers but also risks tarnishing the Alphonso brand in international markets.
Agricultural experts warn that if extreme weather persists, India's premium mango sector will face major challenges, requiring climate adaptation solutions.
