From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 27: As many as 100 stalls will be put up at the biggest Mango and Jack Fruit Mela being held at Bengaluru’s famous Lalbagh from May 29 to June 26.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiaah will be inaugurating the month-long mela being organised by the State’s Horticulture Department.

The mela will also have an exhibition of different varieties of mangoes.

The exhibition will be open from morning 8 am to 7 pm in the evening.

The varieties of mangoes on display at the exhibition include: Alphonso, Badami, Baganapalli, Raspuri, Mallika, Sindhura, Malagoa, Thothapuri, Neelam, Aapali and Kesar.

Ms 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,” she said.

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 per cent 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,’’ she explained.

Ms Rajanna said a specialized team of experts has been formed to explore the opportunities in the global market and improve the standards of the fruits.