Okinawa Prefecture anticipates 30% lower mango production in 2012

Okinawa Prefecture anticipates 30% lower mango production in 2012

Shipping volume and harvest area of mangoes from Okinawa Prefecture.


July 1, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On June 29, the Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department Horticulture Center announced that the 2012 mango production forecast anticipates a figure of 1036 tons, a 33.8% decline from the previous year and the lowest level of shipment in the ten years since 2003.

The Horticulture Center explains that the 40 to 60% reduction in mangoes is because of last year’s typhoons, the high temperatures in October and November, and the reduced levels of sunlight from November to February. The low temperatures during the period of bloom in March and April and the slow pollination of flowers by insects also caused crop failure in some areas.

The forecast production levels by district are 310 tons, a 20.7% decline, in the northern region, 57 tons, a 38.7% decline, in the central region, 289 tons, a 37.0% decline, in the southern region, 274 tons, a 47.3% decline in the Miyako region, and 106 tons, a 2.9% increase in the Yaeyama region.

As a countermeasure, farmers were instructed to increase the fruit-setting from one fruit per branch to two or three fruits per branch. Also, a greenhouse facility check-up for typhoons and drainage maintenance will be conducted.

(English translation by T&CT, Megumi Chibana and Mark Ealey)

Go to Japanese


　


Previous Article:
Next Article:

[Similar Articles]