Traditionally grown Mangifera indica Linn. in Pauri District of Uttarakhand, Central Himalaya, India.

Traditionally grown Mangifera indica Linn.(Mango) fruit farm in a completely rainfed agroecosystem were observed in Shivalik hills (altitude, 900 ft) near Neelkanth 35 km away from Reshikesh, Uttarakhand state. Pauri Garhwal is one of the districts of Uttarakhand covering 5444.00 sq. km. geographical area ranging from 78o 12' E to 79 o 14 ' E to 29 o 26' N to 30 o 19' N. This district is divided into two divisions’ viz. Pauri and Lansdowne, having 6 and 9 Administrative Blocks in each division respectively.It was found that mix agroforestry exist in the region due to low land availability of orchard purposes and less water sources. These tree varieties are Psidium guajava Linn.(Guava), Litchi chinensis Sonn.(Litchi), Carica papaya Linn. (Papaya), Punica granatum Linn.(Pomegranate), Jatropha curcas Linn. (Jatropha) and Pyrus communis Linn. (Pear). While some other hardy plants viz. Agave americana Linn.(Rambans) also cultivated around the fence.

These all plants are useful in mountain people's life in shiwalik Himalayas. The glossy cream coloured fibre extracted from these Agave spp. after processing and treatment, a similar process used for jute and hemp to make utility and decorative products. Most of the  mango tree seedlings are government provided during 1985’s. Now a days Jatropha is grown by some farmers in fileds with these tree due to its high demand. The yield of mango in these hilly regions is good enough in quantity (200 ± 25 fruits) and quality (Aroma and taste). The fruit size is quite smaller (8-10 cm) in comparison to other variety of mango fruit available in market. In these farms rainfed region mango tree height is found near around 7-10 feet. The reason behind small height and fruit size may be low nutrient availability in such rainfed agroecosystems. Though wild old mango trees are tall enough but the fruits are 4-5 cm. in length. In government professed schemes water canals were established but the conflict between locals can’t resolve water scarcity in May-June months.

The farmers face wildlife (Birds, Rodents, Monkeys) threat to their yield. Pest control is done with traditional liquid spray of ashes of neem and other tree leaves and woods. Though the pests were not a huge problem in such small farms major threat is monkeys and parrots. Common farmyard manure is cow dung mixture with leaves and soil. The cost benefit analysis show good monetary benefit per small land holding 8-10 trees/Nali (1 Nali = 0.02 ha). Its a seasonal income of 25,000 (± 2000) Rs. Profit/ 8-9 Nali is obtained every year. The fruits are sold in local market (around village) of normal mango cost available in market. Simultaneously small land holding means less tree counts and limited yield to farmers. Most of terraces are completely rainfed and soil is dry out badly in summers which effects the yield very much. This rainfed conditions inhibits the proper nutrient uptake and landuse for large scale cultivation in such areas. farmer’s can not survive on the orchards and farming solely, they have other income sources also. These are organic fruits if carbide is not used for ripen fruits. Some times farmer’s used to sale fruits in market early (before natural ripening) to save fruits from birds. Land is completely treated with biocompost but still need proper organic certification process for 100% organic tag. India tops in the mango production in the world. The important mango producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, and Orissa. There is urgent need of low cost scientific inputs and proper market endorsement for these almost organic mangoes from shivalik hills of Uttarakhand.