It is the season to savour the different varieties of mangoes and jackfruits. To help citizens buy organic fruits directly from the farmers, the department of horticulture has organised the annual mango and jackfruit mela.
The mela that will be held at Lalbagh from May 29 to June 26 is set to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The mela, apart from having nearly 100 stalls, will also have an exhibition of varieties of mangoes.
M. Kamalakshi Rajanna, chairperson of Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation, said that the aim was to reach the fruits that are carbide-free directly to consumers without the involvement of middlemen. “Ethylene is used in permissible limits as a ripening hormone, post-harvest. It has provided a platform for the growers and sellers in the domestic market as well as at the global level.”
Despite the vagaries of weather, the state expects the production of the mangoes to reach around 7 lakh tonnes this year, though the yield has reduced by 20 to 30 percent compared to the previous year, she said.
Over 6000 tonnes of mangoes is exported to Gulf countries via Mumbai. The ban in American and European countries on the export of fruits last year has now been lifted and a team from US will visit India to certify the quality of fruits, she said.
“The corporation aims to help growers adopt a scientific approach for cultivation and reduce the risks for traders in export. A specialized team of experts has been formed to explore the opportunities in the global market and improve the standards of the fruits,” Ms. Rajanna added.
Mango and Jackfruit Mela
When: From May 29 to June 26
Between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Lalbagh
Varieties of mangoes: Alphonso, Badami, Baganapalli, Raspuri, Mallika, Sindhura, Malagoa, Thothapuri, Neelam, Amrapali, Kesar
