The government is getting ready to start the export of mangoes from the State to the West. Currently, not one mango from the State lands up in supermarket shelves outside the country.
Recognising the potential of export of the king of fruits — whose production had touched eight lakh tonnes last year — the Karnataka Agriculture Business Development Corporation had concluded a series of workshops elaborating on the cultivation techniques needed for “international quality”.
In the preceding years, the nearest irradiation centre — a preservation treatment to remove pests — was in Maharashtra. This year onwards, farmers in the State have access to a food park in Malur where the facility has been developed.
Additional Director (Fruits and Flowers) M. Parashiva Murthy said nearly 150 farmers have been chosen, while discussions had started with around 10 exporters.
However, the State may have to wait to resume exports to European Union, which had recently expressed willingness to lift the ban on import of mangoes from India. “The Centre has told us to be careful when exporting to Europe. As this is the first time, we do not want a problematic consignment from here that may lead to another ban,” said Mr. Murthy.
Though believing exports may lift the flagging industry, K. Srinivas Gowda, who is on the committee to explore exports from the State, said, “The number chosen from export is negligible compared to the number of mango growers. This is a start, but has to pick up to impact the industry here.”
