Kalahandi in mango mood

Expressbuzz, June 13, 2009

BHAWANIPATNA: Mango mood has gripped Kalahandi as markets in the district are flooded with varieties of mangoes, including local ones.

The climatic condition of Kalahandi is suitable for mango cultivation. According to a survey by Agriculture Department, mango is grown on more than 14,000 hectare in the district particularly in highlands and mountain regions. About 500 varieties of mango, both local and grafted ones, are cultivated by the farmers. But many local varieties are now facing extinction in the face of stiff competition from cross-bred varieties. Bust despite that local varieties always find favour with the people. Some of the local varieties, which are most sought-after, are Mendha Mund, Dahi Pakhal, Lethi, Jharan Lethi, Kancha Suadi, Kalabainsi, Turi, Rapali, Kadli Letha, Rajabhog and Sagada Kata. Mango also influences tribal economy to a great extent. Varieties of items like ambula, amsula (champabati) and ampati (ambasada) are prepared from mango by tribals both for consumption and selling purposes. Ambula is prepared from sour varieties of mango in raw stage while champabati is made from sweet varieties in raw stage. Ambasada is prepared from the juice of ripe mangoes. Besides, mango kernel is consumed by tribals during lean monsoon season.

Gradually cross-bred varieties, which are grafted outside, are replacing the local varieties due to the former’s market value.

In the last few years different varieties of grafted mango have been grown on 4,000 hectare with the initiative of National Horticulture Mission. This year it is targeted to cover 1000 hectare. Varieties like Lengda, Bombay Green, Nilam, Alphanso, Baiganpalai, Kesar, Gulabkhas are now more popular and grown on extensive areas.

However in the absence of market management and intervention, mango growers are exploited by traders. Consumers are also at the receiving end as the traders are selling mangoes at three to four times higher rate than the purchase price. In a bid to expose consumers to the locally-grown mangoes and provide market-related information to farmers, a mango exhibition was organised here by Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) recently.