Lip-smacking treats at mango, jackfruit melas

Another edition of mango and jackfruit mela will be held at Lalbagh for three days from May 31 to June 2. Apart from Lalbagh, for the first time, these melas will also be held at Manyata Tech Park and other parts of the City. 

Kamalakshi Rajanna, chairperson, Karnataka State Mango Development Board and Marketing Corporation Limited said that the melas will be held at Manyata Tech park for 10 days from June 3. From mid-June, the melas will also be held at Majestic, Shanthinagar, Kengeri and Jayanagar.

Farmers will sell their produce directly at 10% discount compared to the market price, at the melas. At least 1,000 tonnes of mangoes are expected to be sold at the melas.

Once export quarantine permission is obtained at least 15,000 tonnes will be exported to  the US, Australia and Malaysia. Around 60 tonnes of mangoes have already been exported to London and USA and 500 tonnes to Gulf countries, Kamalakshi said. 

“We have received an oral communication from China seeking export of mangoes, however, no orders have been placed yet,” she added.

At least one lakh farmers are engaged in mango cultivation in Karnataka, of which only 4,575 farmers are registered with the Board. Only registered will be will be permitted to sell their produce through the Board.

The 30-day mela will be open from from 8 am to 7 pm.