A little value addition, apparently, makes all the difference. This cottage industry comes alive during the summer season here.
Raw mangoes, mostly the Totapuri variety, are processed for off-season purposes. These cottage industries run for about 40 days in a year but hectic activity can be witnessed in places such as Vissannapeta and Kottaeedara.
The fresh scent of cut green mango and the thwacking sound from the traditional kitchen knives (katti peeta) attracts passers-by. A group of women and a few teenagers sits in rows to grade, clean, peel and slice the mangoes. And, the final part is the sliced mangoes which are sent to tanks filled with salt water. The work flows perfectly from one group to another until packing.
Farmer connect
According to information, at least 11,000 kg of mangoes per day are cut into different shapes in each unit. These units procure mangoes from farmers directly. About 35% would be wastage towards skin and shell of the fruit. For every 11,000 kg of processed mangoes, about 5,000 kg of chips are made.
“The processed mangoes enable the industry to serve their markets even during the off-season period for fresh mangoes,” says Sivakrishna, an employee at an industry at Kottaeedara.
The chips are soaked in salt water for a week before they are despatched to different locations in the country. There is a huge demand in places like Kolkata. About 15 to16 tonnes of salted chips, which are still wet, would be sent to buyers. And by the time it reaches the destination, the weight must come down to 13 tonnes. Else, the buyer would reject it. The water in the chips would get drained during transportation.
The diced flesh of mangoes, bathed in salt water, prevent discolouration. Also, the process adds life to the mango chips. These chips are used for a variety of purposes. The buyers would de-salt the chips before using them by cleaning them in fresh water. The chips are used in making pickles, jams etc. Not all mangoes are worth eating, but nearly every mango can be pickled, industry sources say.
Huge potential
The interesting part is that the Horticulture Department has no schemes to promote this business model, and the Industries Department is yet to recognise it is as an industry.
There is no exact data about the total number of units. But, a unit provides employment to about 50 people every day. There is vast potential for processed mango chips.
“At present, these units are being run in a most unprofessional manner. Necessary training must be imparted to these entrepreneurs in better handling of mango processing. They need proper training in processing, packing and other related areas,” says an official, who did not want to be quoted.
