Karnataka Mango Development Board is all set to export around 5,000 tonne of mango from the state to countries such as the US and UK.
However, “We are not yet equipped with packhouse facilities where mangoes could be stored for a longer duration. At present mangoes are grown only in Kolar, Dharwad and Ramanagaram. These are sent to Mumbai and Hyderabad which are processed for export,” explains Kamalakshi Rajanna, chairperson, Karnataka Mango Development Board.
She states,“Union government’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) processes mangoes using the packhouse facilities. Around 2,400 tonne of mangoes grown in Kolar and Ramanagaram districts are processed and exported.”
She adds, “Now we have plans to start packhouses here in the state at Kolar, Mysuru and Dharwad this year.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka minister for horticulture and agricultural marketing Shamanur Shivashankarappa, states,“Apart from this, the state government is planning to strengthen the domestic market for mangoes, especially the market for export quality fruits. In this connection, the government has established a Mango Development Centre at Chintamani under the Centrally-sponsored Rashtriya Krishi Vikasa Yojana (RKVY) and Karnataka Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd to handle post-harvest management of mangoes. Through these centres, it has been planned to train the farmers and middlemen to fulfil the need to supply quality fruits to foreign markets.”
The department of horticulture in collaboration with the Karnataka Agri Business Development Corporation has organised training programmes for about 620 farmers at the Mango Development Centre in Srinivasapura taluk regarding the production of export- suitable international quality fruits.
The state’s farmers are also growing organic mangoes and use a spray made of a solution of potatoes and neem, which is sprayed on the flowering trees. It is harmless. Around 400 kg of organic mangoes are exported.
In 2013-14, the state exported 238 tonne of fruits including mango, grape, sapota, pineapple, banana, and pomegranate among others generating revenue to the tune of Rs 488 crore.
While the prices of mangoes went up this year due to lower production, farmers got a good price. The state’s production of fruits was not on par with the demand. The production suffered as it is an off year and the untimely rains, followed by hailstorms during February and March.
Further, the department of horticulture has organised mango melas in major growing districts like Ramanagar, Mysuru, Davanagere and Bengaluru from May 26 to June 22, 2015. These display varieties of the king of fruits from the state.
