‘King of Fruits’ enters market with a bang

It is a bonanza for mango lovers as there is a good harvest of the King of fruits this year.

Mango has come to the market in large quantities following a bumper crop and the vendors are making brisk sales.

Mangoes of varieties of colour, size and aroma have been drawing people in hoards. Apart from the regular market stalls, vendors have put up special stalls for the exclusive sale of the fruit, on M G Road, Hanumantappa Circle, Togarihankal Circle, Azad Park Circle and Market Road.

Some vendors are also seen selling the fruit in push carts. Being a seasonal fruit, mango juice has topped the menu list in juice outlets and has become the first choice of customers.

There are about 35 varieties of mangoes available, including, Mallika, Alphonso, Malgova, Totapuri, Badshah, Baiganpalli, Himalaya Pasand, Rajapuri, Kesar, Dasheri, Chakra Gutli, Neelam, Himsagar, Rumania, Sindhura, Chaunsa and Langra.

Raspuri and Badami are in huge demand. Raspuri costs Rs 40 per kilo while Badami costs Rs 60 to Rs 100 per kilo.

Mangoes are sourced from Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bengaluru and Ramanagara. The indigenous varieties are also supplied from Tarikere and Ajjampura.

Assistant Horticultural Officer M R Lohit said that the farmers have cultivated mango in 4,300 hectares of land in the district and 6,326 tonnes of produce is expected. The harvest has already begun.

“Artificial ripening of mango using calcium carbide is illegal and the department of food safety will initiate action against violators,” he added.

Salman Khan, the owner of a mango stall, said that the unripe mangoes are wrapped in paper and are placed in crates for two days. This ripens the fruits partially. When the half-ripened fruits are kept for sale, they ripen completely under the sun, which is a natural process. No chemicals are used to ripen the mangoes artificially. He said that about a tonne of mangoes are sold per day.

Mango grower Doranalu Shadakshari said that he has 2,500 mango trees of Raspuri and Rajapuri variety in his farm. There is a good harvest this year. However, no good profit can be expected as the rates are normal.