Sat Mar 08 11:35:53 UTC 2025: ## Mango Pest Threatens Dindigul and Theni Districts’ Harvest
**Dindigul, March 8, 2025** – Mango farmers in Dindigul and Theni districts are facing a significant threat to their harvest due to a widespread sucker pest infestation. The pest, locally known as ‘chell puchi,’ is causing inflorescence to shrivel and unripe mangoes to turn yellow prematurely.
Farmers report a sharp increase in the pest’s activity, despite regular pesticide application. Kannan, a farmer from Reddiyapatti, described initially abundant flowering that was subsequently decimated by the pest. Satish, from Kanavaipatti, highlighted the high cost of pest management, stating he spent ₹50,000 on pesticides for six acres, with limited long-term effect. The increased cost of labor for pesticide application further exacerbates the financial strain on farmers.
Concerns extend to market prices. Kesavan, a Madurai farmer, worries that a reduced local harvest coupled with a potentially bountiful harvest elsewhere could lead to price drops in Madurai and Dindigul markets.
While pest infestation is not uncommon, J. Rajangam, Dean of the Horticulture College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, cautions against overuse of pesticides, advising against intensive application due to potential pest immunity. Agricultural officers suggest the prolonged wet spell may have contributed to the pest’s emergence, with the expectation that rising temperatures will help mitigate the problem.
For now, farmers remain in a wait-and-see situation, hoping the pest infestation will subside before causing irreparable damage to the mango crop.
First Piper 