Why are mangoes covered with fruit bags? How much do they cost?

Specially designed fruit bags protect mangoes from pests, increase uniform color, and fetch higher prices in export markets.

Farmers in Telangana are embracing a technique — fruit bagging — to protect and enhance quality of mangoes. These specially designed double-layered bags, with a brown or beige outer layer and a black inner layer, cost around ₹2 to ₹2.5 each. They are proving to be a game changer as they keep away fruit flies, ensure a blemish-free, uniformly coloured mangoes, and reduce the need for pesticides — a major concern for consumers. 

A farmer from Mahabubnagar, Muralidhar Reddy, who exports mangoes said: “I was specifically asked by an exporter if the batch of mangoes being sent were bagged”.

In India, ‘King of fruits’ are mainly cultivated in States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Gujarat. 

According to the Fruit Research Station (FRS) in Sangareddy, the mango crop is vulnerable to fruit flies, unseasonal rains, increased humidity and other changes in temperature. Fruit flies lay their eggs in the flesh, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the flesh causing significant damage to the fruit. To prevent this damage, farmers commonly use pesticides. 

Information from the Centre highlights how the bagging technique is a safer and sustainable alternative as it protects the mango crop from insects such as mango hoppers and fruit flies, and the vagaries of weather­­ — heat, wind and rain. The bags prevent pesticides from coming in contact with the fruit and allows the fruit to grow without any spots or marks making it ideal for exports.  

The bagging technique is effective on mango varieties such as Banginapalli, Himayat, Kesar, and Daseri. However it is not suitable for all varieties of mangoes. Senior scientist and head of the FRC, V. Suchitra said that for varieties such as Suvarnarekha and Tommy Atkins, the bagging technique is counterproductive. “For these varieties, the bags must be removed around a week to 10 days before harvesting.”  

Ms. Suchitra also highlights that without inspection of the mangoes the bagging technique should not be used. She said: “The fruits must first be checked for signs of infestation.” She warns that covering infested fruits can worsen the problem as was observed in Jagtial.