As dusk settles over South Gujaratvillages, gangs of young men prepare for their nocturnal mission, fuelling their motorcycles and steeling their nerves — the latter with measured shots of country liquor and a hearty meal.Like characters from Bollywood movie “Dhoom”, these thieves, aged 17 to 30, gear up not for a bankheist but for something equally precious in this region — mangoes. Within hours, they will execute a lightning-quick raid through the quiet orchards, filling crates with alphonso and kesar varieties, fruits that become liquid gold during their fleeting month of perfect ripeness before the monsoon arrives. Unlike diamonds or gold, these treasures cannot be manufactured or mined year-round. Since even a faintest change in weather compromises their distinctive flavour, they fetch extraordinary prices, making them summer’s most sought-after bounty.Premium ripe mangoes fetch anywhere from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per dozen in legitimate markets. Farmers can sell raw mangoes for approximately Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per 20kg. However, the thieves quickly offload the stolen mangoes at drastically reduced rates — just Rs 500 for 20kg — to earn quick money and avoid getting caught.
Pulp Non-Fiction: The ExecutionThe heist operation unfolds with military precision. Teams of seven or eight men deploy across the targeted orchard. Half of them maintain vigilant watch along the perimeter while others swiftly harvest mangoes, working by the dim glow of mobile phone screens. Within minutes, they fill multiple crates with unripe mangoes and temporarily conceal them in neighbouring sugarcane fields — a precaution taken to ensure there are no witnesses or pursuers — before they vanish into the night, the precious cargo strapped to their vehicles.“Just a few kilometres away, buyers are ready with weighing scales even late at night. They pay cash on the spot, around a quarter of the fair market value, fully aware that they are purchasing stolen goods,” says Jitu Patel, a farmer from Satem village.“These middlemen establish seasonal buying posts specifically for this illicit trade. They’ll happily purchase from anyone who shows up with mangoes, even when it is obvious the seller couldn’t possibly own an orchard,” he adds.
Within hours, the stolen mangoes enter the urban market supply chain, commanding premium retail prices, while the orchard owners struggle to recover even their basic cultivation costs for pest control and maintenance.Memorandum Given To CollectorAlarmed by the escalating problem, farmers from 12 villages in Navsari district recently submitted a formal memorandum to the district collector’s office demanding intervention. According to their estimates, 1,500 to 2,000kg of mangoes are stolen every day from the orchards spread across these villages.“Our primary concern is the network of buyers who have set up multiple purchase points near mango orchards. Thieves can steal and sell the mangoes within minutes,” says Jagdish Patel, another affected farmer.The memorandum was submitted to police as well, who intensified patrols in vulnerable areas. However, farmers maintain that these measures have been inadequate.“Unless unauthorized vendors are prevented from operating, this problem will persist. These vendors should not be allowed to operate weighing scales without proper registration. The entire operation, right from theft to purchase to transportation to the markets, functions as a sophisticated organized network,” says Baldev Patel, manager, Nagadhara Vibhag Vividh Karyakari Sahkari Mandli.Organized Farming and TradeValsad and Navsari districts represent South Gujarat’s mango heartland, with approximately 38,000 hectares under mango cultivation in each district. Mango farming involves a clearly defined division of responsibilities. Farmers and their staff nurture the trees with dedication, patiently waiting five to seven years for maturity.They maintain their orchards with meticulous care, providing proper irrigation, fertilization and pest management, and regularly consult horticulture specialists on everything from selecting superior mango varieties to extending the productive life of each tree.The Navsari Agricultural University (NAU) houses a specialized research centre focused exclusively on mango cultivation. The researchers develop methods to enhance tree health and fruit yield, providing farmers with science-backed approaches to improve their harvests.When flowering begins, contractors from across India approach the farmers. After evaluating the blossoms, the contractors estimate potential yields and offer seasonal prices. Once terms are agreed upon — including the farmer’s percentage of the total harvest — contractors take control of the orchards. They manage the labour-intensive harvesting process and coordinate distribution to various markets. “It is a well-structured system, where everyone contributing receives their fair share. This year, thunderstorms and rain have already damaged much of the crop, and these thefts have only added to our difficulties,” says Jitu Patel.Protecting The KingThe king of fruits receives protection worthy of royalty during its brief but lucrative season of availability. While guarding valuables like gold and cash is commonplace, mangoes achieve comparable status during summer months, prompting farmers in Valsad to recruit guards from the Pathan community in Rajasthan and install CCTV cameras.
Some of the more technologically advanced farmers have even deployed drones when intelligence suggests thieves might be targeting their orchards.Brijesh Patel, who owns orchards in Kalwada village, has installed a network of seven CCTV cameras throughout his property, providing live video feeds to his mobile phone regardless of his location. He makes the maximum use of this facility once the fruiting season begins.
“We installed our surveillance system a few years ago when orchard thefts were rampant in the region. It has significantly deterred the criminal activity,” Brijesh told TOI.Among the pioneers in combating mango theft in Valsad, Aakash Desai of Chharwada village employs Pathan watchmen — known locally as ‘rakha’ or caretakers — paying each Rs 15,000 monthly to guard his orchard.Over the years, these specialized guards have built a formidable reputation that discourages mango thieves from targeting Desai’s orchard.“I specifically recruit Pathan guards from Rajasthan. They are known for their vigilance and effectiveness in preventing agricultural theft,” says Desai. The guards patrol the orchards throughout the night, while daytime security benefits from the presence of the workers.Prakash Patel, a farmer from Nanakwada, incorporates drone technology into his security strategy. “You cannot monitor such an extensive area by just walking around. I deploy drones when neighbouring farmers or workers report suspicious activity,” says Prakash, who borrows drones from a relative. “The known presence of drone surveillance creates a powerful deterrent. Thieves avoid entering properties where they might be recorded from above. However, I haven’t used drones this season due to temporary prohibitory orders,” he says.