Global Kokan Mango Festival 2018 flagged off in Mumbai with 15 key Farmer Co-operative Associations from Devgadh, Ratnagiri, Kelshi
Mumbai, 3rd May 2018: Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan, Nehru Science Centre and Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Govt of India in association with Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) & Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are hosting the Global Kokan Mango Festival 2018 from 2nd May – 8th May 2018 at Nehru Science Centre, Worli in Mumbai. The event was inaugurated by Shri. Madhav Bhandari, Cabinet Minister, Relief & Rehabilitation. Speaking at the event Shri Madhav Bhandari shared "Campaigns such as Farmers Mango Bazaar should be held annually to create awareness about the fruit and raise issues and struggles of mango farmers. Farmers are our original producers and they should be given due credit as they work the whole year to yield the crop".
Mr. Sanjay Yadavrao, Founder, Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan shared, "This is the largest platform made available for the buyers in Mumbai by farmers from Konkan region aimed at creating an open & straight market for Organic Mango Farmers, Producer Companies & Farmer Co-operative Associations from across the region. Owing to climate changes this year the yield is only 25%, hence the reduced production. But, the consumers are not aware of the fact but the irony is that the market rides on Karnataka, Gujarat and other states mangoes due to lack of awareness. The aim of the event is thus to educate & create awareness on organic & naturally ripened mangoes from Konkan region alone".
In the wake of FDA seizing huge quantities of artificially ripened mangoes, in the city this initiative by Kokan Bhumi Pratisthan is a boon. Almost 15 key Farmer Co-operative Associations from Devgadh, Ratnagiri, Kelshi alongwith Ratnavasundhara & Sindhudurg Farmer producer Association representing 100 mango farm owners are all set to capture the direct market of naturally ripened, authentic alphonso mangoes made available for the mango lovers in Mumbai at the 7-day fair at Nehru Science Centre.
The inaugural day of the event hosted the Farmer’s Mango Bazaar & Convention which threw light on topics like Mango Cultivation and Farming technology, critical infrastructure set up for export of mangoes like hot water treatment facility, vapour heat treatment facility and irradiation facility will also be showcased thus providing an enriching platform for mango producers and cultivators for better growth of the fruit.
The country's mango exports are estimated at over 50,000 tonnes last fiscal. The main export destinations include the US, the Middle- East, Japan and the European Union (EU). The event also garnered exporters from US, Japan, Korea & Europe. Mr. Sanjay Yadavrao, Founder, Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan shares, "We are also hopeful that the appeal to the government will be accepted for the much-needed GI tag for the Alphonso (Hapus) breed of mangoes which is the monopoly of the Konkan belt. The GI-tagging for the Alphonso mango will surely protect its exclusivity and distinctiveness, going forward. With the support of APEDA and Nehru Science Center, we hope to create awareness about mangoes in general and give them a place in global market".
Shri S.M. Khened-Director. Nehru Science Center further added," The primary reason for collaboration with Kokan Bhumi Prathisthan is we get 7 lac visitors to Nehru Science Center out if which most of them are not aware of the plight of the farmers. We decided that since Alphonso is the pride of Maharashtra, we can bring together farmers and consumers and bridge the gap between them. Our aim is to create an annual event to promote mango and create awareness."
Mumbai receives a major chunk of its Alphonsos from Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, and Raigad in Maharashtra. Other varieties in demand in the city are Pirie, Badami, Kesar, Lalbag, and Totapuri. Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka are also major contributors for different breeds.
The event witnessed dignitaries from various sections of Mango trade like Shri Prashant Waghmare, Assistant General Manager, APEDA amongst others who opined that “it’s high time we change the culture of farmer, middlemen and the market and start exporting from the source of origin”