New Delhi, Aug. 23 -- In The Beat Report, Mint's journalists bring you unique perspectives on their beats, breaking down new trends and developments, and sharing behind-the-scenes stories from their reporting.

Hello,

I am Sayantan Bera and I write on food, farming and the climate crisis for the Long Story page in Mint. Earlier this month, I began working on a piece on India's roving beekeepers.

It all began with a conversation with a mango grower and connoisseur. In late May, I travelled to Samastipur and Darbhanga in Bihar to take a close look at two of India's much-loved summer fruits: litchi and mango. It turned out to be heartbreaking.

Growers had lost interest in orchards, and most pre-sold their harvest at pitifully low prices. ...