JOIN USMango mela opens with gusto
Mango lovers thronged Curzon Park in the heart of the city, in large numbers, to pack home their favourite varieties of the king of fruits.
About 35 varieties of mango, the all enticing fruit that garners a lot of attention for both its arrival and departure, were displayed at the Mango Mela which opened on Friday, June 1. The mela, which will be on till Sunday evening, is selling about 10 varieties of naturally ripened mangoes from different parts of the district. A premium variety of mango Dil Pasand, which was Mughal emperor Akbar’s favourite, is also being sold here.
This apart, the regular varieties and variations such as Badam, Ratnagiri Badam, Malgoba, Sendoora, Mallika, Totapuri, Raspuri and others including those grown in organic farming method, without using chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
Organised by Department of Horticulture, the mela aims at reducing the role of middlemen, thus keeping the rates affordable by everyone.
The mela with 35 stalls, with few yet to be occupied, was inaugurated by additional deputy commissioner Naga Nayak, with ZP chief planning officer Vasundhara Devi, and deputy director of department of horticulture H M Nagaraj.
The farmers who had come from different parts of the district, were busy packing off mangoes for customers, even before the programme was formally inaugurated, since mango lovers had started trickling in right after the fruits were displayed at the stall.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Nagaraj, deputy director, department of horticulture said the prices were fixed much lower than the prevailing prices for the fruits, and varieties, in the open market and shops.
“Every day we will revise prices based on the recommendations of a sub committee which has been set up for the purpose and keep them affordable.
People can be sure of the quality of the fruits they buy from here. Even the farmers are confident of growing more varieties without fearing the market fluctuation since this is a fair market here,” he said.
Apart from the mela, a conference on challenges faced by mango market, its growing methods and other aspects, has been organised by the department. Experts, scientists and farmers have found an apt platform to exchange their views and thoughts with this.