BANKE: Mango farming in Banke has been severely affected by powdery mildew (Oidium mangiferae), locally known as Madhuwa disease. The fungal infection, which has appeared just as mango trees begin fruiting, has raised concerns among farmers over potential crop losses.
“If the plants are infected, yields can drop drastically,” said mango farmer Abdula Wajid Sai of Janaki Rural Municipality–1.
According to the Agricultural Knowledge Centre Banke, the disease appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves, flowers and fruits, leading to premature shedding and a sharp decline in production. The centre has been offering technical advice and recommending appropriate pesticides to control its spread.
Senior Crops Development Officer and Information Officer Santosh Pathak emphasized the importance of early prevention, stating that pesticides should be applied before the fruit-bearing stage, as late intervention is largely ineffective once the fungus has spread.
“There is a high likelihood that mango production across the district will decline significantly,” he said.
In the last fiscal year, Banke produced 9,915 metric tons of mangoes across 1,015 hectares of land. However, output is expected to fall this year due to the fungal outbreak and pest infestation.
Officials also warned that insects carrying the disease can spread rapidly from one orchard to another. These pests feed on young leaves and fruits, causing them to drop prematurely and leaving behind a sticky residue that promotes the growth of black fungus.
The Agricultural Knowledge Centre has urged farmers to seek timely technical support and use recommended pesticides in proper quantities to manage the disease effectively.
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