<p>The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, is planning to market the superior quality mangoes grown under it on 10,000 to 15,000 hectares in Haveri, Hangal, Sirsi, Khanapur, Kalaghatagi, Alnavar and Dharwad, under the brand ‘Suphala’ - on the lines of the Nandini milk brand.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The move is aimed at popularising the 99 per cent ‘Alphonso’ mangoes grown in the region in the national and international markets, besides providing good prices to the growers and quality fruits to the local consumers. The agro business, marketing and export information centre of the varsity is launching the brand. <br /><br />‘Suphala’ is the brainchild of a team of experts comprising Dr Mamale Desai, Dr S B Hosamani, Dr Savanurmath of the marketing division of the university and retired forest officer S B Sadani. The mango growers are being organised under the brand. <br /><br />Last year, the mango was sold at Rs 22,000 per tonne, while the ‘Suphala’ brand of mangoes was sold to a Mumbai-based organisation for Rs 36,000 a tonne on an experimental basis. Experts believe that the prices may go up this year due to a drop in production as a result of the vagaries of nature. <br /><br />The university is organising seminars (by experts) and screening documentaries so as to train the growers on various aspects. The growers are being trained on the proper plucking methods, to pack fruits of similar shape together, ripen the mangoes without the use of chemicals, taking care so that mizzle does not fall on the fruits growing on the trees, sorting the mangoes of different grades, preparing various mango products, preventing diseases that affect the crop and means to preserve the fruits for a long time.<br /><br />To popularise the export quality mangoes locally, the ‘Suphala’ brand would be sold for Rs 100 less than the market price for a two-kg box. The ‘Suphala’ mangoes would be made available on an experimental basis from next year in the outlets of the horticulture department in Hubli-Dharwad. Dr S B Hosamani said they were in talks with the department in this regard. <br /></p>
<p>The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, is planning to market the superior quality mangoes grown under it on 10,000 to 15,000 hectares in Haveri, Hangal, Sirsi, Khanapur, Kalaghatagi, Alnavar and Dharwad, under the brand ‘Suphala’ - on the lines of the Nandini milk brand.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The move is aimed at popularising the 99 per cent ‘Alphonso’ mangoes grown in the region in the national and international markets, besides providing good prices to the growers and quality fruits to the local consumers. The agro business, marketing and export information centre of the varsity is launching the brand. <br /><br />‘Suphala’ is the brainchild of a team of experts comprising Dr Mamale Desai, Dr S B Hosamani, Dr Savanurmath of the marketing division of the university and retired forest officer S B Sadani. The mango growers are being organised under the brand. <br /><br />Last year, the mango was sold at Rs 22,000 per tonne, while the ‘Suphala’ brand of mangoes was sold to a Mumbai-based organisation for Rs 36,000 a tonne on an experimental basis. Experts believe that the prices may go up this year due to a drop in production as a result of the vagaries of nature. <br /><br />The university is organising seminars (by experts) and screening documentaries so as to train the growers on various aspects. The growers are being trained on the proper plucking methods, to pack fruits of similar shape together, ripen the mangoes without the use of chemicals, taking care so that mizzle does not fall on the fruits growing on the trees, sorting the mangoes of different grades, preparing various mango products, preventing diseases that affect the crop and means to preserve the fruits for a long time.<br /><br />To popularise the export quality mangoes locally, the ‘Suphala’ brand would be sold for Rs 100 less than the market price for a two-kg box. The ‘Suphala’ mangoes would be made available on an experimental basis from next year in the outlets of the horticulture department in Hubli-Dharwad. Dr S B Hosamani said they were in talks with the department in this regard. <br /></p>
