UP Govt Waives Need For NOC To Prune Mango Trees In Bid To Boost Exports

The UP government said that it has decided to waive off departmental permission required for pruning mango trees to enhance quality and production.

The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said on Tuesday that it has decided to waive off departmental permission required for pruning mango trees to enhance quality and production. The government has taken this step in a bid to boost mango exports with a higher yield and improved quality.

The state government exuded confidence that the step will bring relief to the mango growers in Uttar Pradesh. In a statement, the UP government said that after this decision, mango producers can simply carry out pruning of mango trees and reduce their height to enhance productivity. 

“This decision simplifies canopy management for old mango orchards, and its positive effects will be evident in the coming years. Canopy management will rejuvenate old mango orchards, making them as productive as new ones,” the statement read.

"As a result, not only will production increase, but the quality of the fruits will also improve, opening new doors for export opportunities,” it further stated. As per the statement, UP produces 4.5 million tonnes of mangoes from 260,000 hectares of cultivation.

In the old orchards, the number of new leaves and branches essential for flowering and fruiting has diminished, the statement stated. In contrast, thick and tangled branches abound, preventing adequate light from reaching the interior, it added.

The UP government, in its statement, also highlighted that orchards older than 15 years resemble jungles, with tree branches intertwined and competing for sunlight. 

“Notably, orchards older than 15 years resemble jungles, with tree branches intertwined and competing for sunlight. This makes proper maintenance impossible, adversely affecting both production and quality. Canopy management is the only solution to this,” the statement said. The government said that a lack of skilled workers is a primary challenge pertaining to canopy management.

“The primary challenge in canopy management or renovation is the lack of skilled workers. The Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture offers training to interested youth, teaching them how to use and maintain electric, battery, or petrol-operated saws. This training can help young people increase their income, while the benefits of effective garden management will be an additional advantage for gardeners,” the statement read.