Kamalakshi Inaugurates Mango Exhibition at Pilikula
Mangaluru: The Karnataka Mango Development and Marketing board (Bengaluru) and Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama jointly organised a Mango Exhibition-cum-sale and Pilikula Vasanthotsava 2016, at Pilikula Urban Haat here, on May 21.
President of the State Mango Development and Marketing board (Bengaluru), M Kamalakshi Rajanna inaugurated the programme by plucking a mango from the tree.
Addressing the mediapersons, Kamalakshi said that in India, Karnataka is the second highest mango growing state and 14 lakh tonnes of the fruit is grown in the state. “We are exporting mangoes to the Gulf countries through Maharashtra because Maharashtra has the only mango exporting process in the country,” she said.
“We are planning to create an export facility in Karnataka. At present, we have signed a MoU with an exporter in Kolar. Currently, 4576 farmers have been registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APFPEDA) and they can export fruits directly to the gulf countries. One kg of mango costs Rs 80 to export; farmers who are interested in export will get Rs 40 as the subsidy.”
She further said that those who have more than 2 acres of land and are willing to grow mangoes will be given subsidy and will also be provided with mango saplings. “In the coastal region, the mango cultivation is not upto the mark. In the entire world, India is the highest mango growing country. Alphonsos mangoes are very tasty and have very good demand in the Gulf countries. Badami and Totapuri are not being exported since they have low demand. This season, we are exporting 15,000 tonnes of mangoes to the Gulf countries.”
Director of Pilikula Biological Park Dr Prabhakar Sharma said that every month, Pilikula organises programmes to attract more and more people. “This time, we have organized a Mango exhibition-cum-sale and are also celebrating Vasanthostava. This is to encourage the younger generation and attract them towards agriculture. We need to grow plants and trees and this is our attempt to bring awareness among the youth,” he added.
Chandrashekar Chowta speaking on the occasion said, “Fifty years ago, mostly rich people would drink milk due to its limited availability, but now we are producing the highest milk under the Karnataka Milk Federation. Likewise, we need to grow more mangoes by forming a society.” He urged the president of SMDMB to start a co-operative society so that mango growers too will receive benefits.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, Minister Abhaychandra Jain, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Moideen Bava, CEO ZP Sreevidya, MCC Commissioner Dr Gopalkrishna and others were also present.