Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, May 24: The three-day ‘Mango fest’ held in Shivalli model farming plant, Doddanagudde saw a huge response as people of Udupi flocked to savour the king of fruits.

Organized by the Udupi district administration, Udupi zilla panchayat, horticulture department Udupi, and Ramanagara district coconut and mango producers association, the three-day mango exhibition-cum-sale ended on May 23.

Around 20 mango producers of Ramanagara district along with a few local cultivators brought with them some tastiest varieties of mangoes that were grown naturally. The three-day mango fest proved to be a big hit from the growers’ perspective as they sold their products directly to the customers.

Speaking with Daijiworld.com Siddaraju, a mango grower of Ramanagara said, “It is a great opportunity for us to take part in this exhibition-cum-sale. In Ramanagara we are cultivating mangoes at around 40,000 hectares. We cultivate the mangoes using the natural process. No chemical or carbide is used by us. Around 20 growers arrived here with around 30 tonnes of mangoes. People of Udupi have responded in large numbers. These sorts of festivals help us in eliminating the middlemen. As growers, we get a chance to sell our products directly to the customers and this also helps customers avail themselves of the produce at a competitive price.”

The three-day mango fest saw an estimated total turnover of Rs. 30 lac with around 28 tonnes of mangoes being sold in just three days.

“We are here to support the mango growers who have come to Udupi from Ramanagara district. The mangoes are good quality-wise with competitive prices compared to the market. People of all ages love eating the fruit. Varieties of mangoes are displayed here which is a good initiative,” says Benedict and Gladys Saldhanha from Udupi.

Sharing her experience with Daijiworld.com, Shailaja Nayak said “Mangoes are good in taste. In the outside market it is difficult to find these many varieties of mangoes at one place. Prices also differ from the outside markets. As growers themselves are selling their produce, customers can buy the mangoes without any hesitation.”

Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat had inaugurated the Mango fest on Saturday May 21. He even interacted with the growers and tasted the mangoes along with other guests.

Badami, Raspuri, Malgova, Totapuri, Sindhura, Sakkaregutthi, and other varieties of mangoes were savored by people of Udupi.

The next three-day ‘Mango fest' is scheduled to be held in Mangaluru from May 27 to 29 and also in Bengaluru soon.