Kolhapur (Sindhudurg), March 9 (UNI) Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has announced a significant move to tackle an 85% reduction in mango production caused by changing weather and pest infestation. The state government will implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drone technology to monitor mango orchards in the district.
Addressing a press conference in Sindhudurg on Sunday evening, Rane, who is also the district guardian minister, said that a budget of Rs 4.5 crore has been approved from the District Planning Committee (DPC) to support this initiative, covering 34,296 hectares of mango cultivation.
Rane pledged that the Mahayuti government stands firmly with the farmers, stating that a specialised system will be developed to inspect every tree and provide precise weather updates every 500 metres.
He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone selling mangoes in the district by telling lies, ensuring the reputation of Sindhudurg’s produce.
