(L-R) M Jagadeesh, Joint Director of Horticulture (Parks and Gardens), Lalbagh; CG Nagaraj, Managing Director of Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation; and Ramesh DS, Director of Horticulture Lalbagh, look at the produce for the mela on Wednesday.
Credit: DH photo
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Department of Horticulture and the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation (KSMDMC) are organising their annual month-long mango and jackfruit mela at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden from Friday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the festival at 11 am.
The festival aims to provide a direct market link between farmers and consumers, bringing together farmers from 10 districts across Karnataka.
"We want to provide carbide-free, naturally ripened mangoes directly to the consumers and remove the middlemen from the equation. This year, the farmers specifically need the support due to seasonal challenges they have faced," said Ramesh DS, Director of Horticulture (Lalbagh).
The mango yield across the state was delayed this year, with the fruit hitting markets only in mid-April. "Due to early rains and other climate variables, the mango flowering was delayed this year. High temperatures during the fruit-setting period and pest issues also impacted the yield," said CG Nagaraj, Managing Director, KSMDMC.
The yield is estimated to continue until mid-August. This year, the state is set to produce 8 to 10 lakh metric tonnes of mango, which is lower than the usual 12 to 15 lakh tonnes. Badami, Kesar, and Banganapalli remain some of the sought-after varieties.
At the festival, about 80 stalls have been allocated for mango farmers and 10 for jackfruit farmers. While 45-50 varieties of mango will be on display, only about 12 varieties will be available for sale. This includes the prized Kari Ishad mangoes grown in Ankola, distinguished by their Geographical Identification tag, and Appemidi mangoes, popularly used in making pickles. Some of the jackfruit varieties available for sale include Chandra, Siddu, and Toogire.
The participating mango farmers are registered with the KSMDMC's online portal Karsiri Mangoes, and the same mangoes will be available for sale online. Last year, about 500 tonnes of mangoes were sold at the festival.