Date:31/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053111120200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Get ready for a succulent feast

Staff Reporter

Mango Mela starts tomorrow at Lalbagh and Cubbon Park

JUICY FRUIT: Mangoes fresh from the farm will be on sale at the two-week mela in Bangalore. — File Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

BANGALORE: Orchard-fresh, juicy mangoes will be up for grabs for lovers of this most luscious of fruits. A variety of mangoes will be spread at the Lalbagh Glass House and Cubbon Park as a part of a fortnight-long Mango Mela beginning on Friday.

Additional Director of Horticulture S.V. Hittalmani told presspersons here on Wednesday that over 120 varieties would also be exhibited at the mango exhibition being organised along with the mela, from June 1 to 4. "Since it is the season, we are organising the exhibition of mango varieties. The department organised a similar exhibition in 2005."

Many interesting varieties of mango, including Sindhu, a seedless variety developed by Konkan Krishi Mahavidyapeetha, Maharashtra, and mangoes from trees that date back to Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan's era will be displayed during the mela.

The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, which has germplasm of endemic and exotic varieties, will participate in the exhibition.

"We expect over 200 tonnes of mangoes worth over Rs. 50 lakh to be sold during the mela, with many farmers bringing mangoes grown on their organic farms," Mr. Hittalmani said. Last year, he said, 150 tonnes of mangoes worth Rs. 31 lakh were sold. Mr. Hittalmani warned that producers who artificially ripen mangoes with calcium carbide, a carcinogen, would be expelled from the mela. Two were ejected last year.

A subcommittee set up for the purpose will fix prices in the mela, and prevailing market prices will be considered. Organic mangoes will be 20 per cent more expensive than those grown in regular orchards.

Nearly 100 growers are expected to participate in the mela along with many processing industries.

Minister for Horticulture Shashikanth A Naik will inaugurate the mela and exhibition.