Start of the mango season sees officials of the Girye–Rameshwar Mango Research Centre absent for over a week.
Sindhudurg, Maharashtra – Every year, the mango crop suffers immense damage due to various pests such as fruit flies (phalbaina) and hoppers (tudtuda). Despite this, no useful work regarding mango production is being undertaken at the Girye-Rameshwar Mango Research Centre in Devgad Taluka. Staff at this centre have been paid salaries exceeding ₹5 crore over the past 10 years. Yet, no research has been conducted, and mango growers have received no benefits whatsoever.
Although this issue was raised last year, the officials at the Girye-Rameshwar Mango Research Centre have been absent for the past eight days, precisely at the commencement of the mango season. There are no facilities to contact the research centre directly; one is forced to contact officials on their personal mobile phones.
Dr Ravikant Narkar, Coordinator of the Surajya Abhiyan, stated at a press conference that this method of working is improper and unprofessional. He raised the pertinent question: “How will officials assist the mango orchard owners of Sindhudurg whilst sitting in Mumbai?”
#Konkan |🚨 Mango Crisis in Sindhudurg! 🚨
🅾️Research Officer missing during peak season!
❓How can guidance come from Mumbai?Fruit fly, hopper & major diseases are rising, yet after multiple memorandums Girye–Rameshwar Mango Research Centre remains non-functional. Vague… pic.twitter.com/fHtxmsZrem
— Surajya Abhiyan (@SurajyaCampaign) November 21, 2025
The details of the press conference are as follows:
1. The press conference was concluded at the Patrakar Bhavan in Sindhudurganagari. Attendees included mango traders from Devgad Taluka: Mr Deepak Warik, Mr Vikas Dixit, Mr Ravindra Karekar, Mr Ashok Karangutkar, and Mr Shrikrishna Dudhwadkar. Also present were Sadguru Satyawan Kadam, Dharmapracharak Sant of Sanatan Sanstha, Adv. Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, President of the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, and Mr Rajendra Patil of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
2. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Dudhwadkar stated that when they contacted Officer Munj of the Girye-Rameshwar Mango Research Centre, he replied, “I am currently in Mumbai, and there is no one at the centre. Therefore, any information regarding the mango crop will only be available after I return.”
3. When Mr Warik enquired, “Which pesticide should be sprayed on fruit flies now?”, Munj replied, “Spray whatever medicines are usually sprayed.” Mr Warik noted that it is a serious matter that such vague reply is being given despite the fact that currently available pesticides are ineffective against fruit flies, a point that has been the subject of previous correspondence. He expressed fear that Sindhudurg’s significant identity—the mango crop—would be destroyed.
4. Mr Khadilkar of the Surajya Abhiyan stated, “There must be a permanent ‘Helpline number’ available regarding diseases affecting the mango crop and precautions to be taken throughout the season. The helpline number should not change simply because the officer changes. Furthermore, it is the need of the hour to create a ‘Model Orchard’ within the research centre’s 73-acre premises to demonstrate to orchard owners which pesticides to use, how to use them, and how to prepare the mango farm using these treatments. If necessary, we shall launch an agitation for this.”
