384
N. Lalitha
of India has declined drastically in 2013 after a steep rise observed in 2010. While
it is true that the domestic demand for mango is very high and hence, the quantity
available for exports is less, which is perhaps reflected in Table 3. Table 3 also reports
that Arab countries have been the major importers of fresh mangoes from India.
3.1 Mango Cultivation in Gujarat
Table 4 informs us that around 25 states of India produce mangoes and Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana are among the states with relatively
higher productivity. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have been in the top position in three
consecutive years in mango productivity. Gujarat ranks 5th (2016–17) in mango productivity compared to other states. Interactions with HDGOG and HDJAU revealed
that around 20 years back, Gujarat farmers were also cultivating varieties other than
Kesar, but in the recent years, only Kesar mango is cultivated. The main reason for
the shift is that Kesar mango yields regularly as compared to other popular varieties
such as alphonso which bears fruits during alternate years.
Kesar mango is a popular fruit among the consumers in Gujarat. According to
the faculty of HDJAU, there are about 15 lakh mango trees in the Gir area alone.
The area is increasing by 200–300 ha every year (officials of HDGOG). Total 1.30
lakh hectares is under mango cultivation in Gujarat. Kutch, South Gujarat, Junagadh
regions are well known for mango cultivation. Table 5 gives the area and production
of mangoes in Gujarat.
The uniqueness of the kesar mango lay in its rich taste, sweetness, saffron colour
and fibreless flesh. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation has registered Gir Kesar
mango with the Geographical Indications (GI) registry. Particularly, Junagadh and
Gir Somnath districts are the two major production districts of Kesar mango and
come in the jurisdiction of the GI area and the mango from this region is known
as Gir Kesar mango. In these two districts approximately about 10,000 farmers are
engaged in mango cultivation.
3 More than 70% of the farmers are small holders with
less than 3 ha of land. Corporate mango farming that involves farming in more than
200 ha is also prevalent and carried out by a handful of big landholders. 3.6% of
the estimated 10,000 or 362 farmers have so far registered with Agricultural and
Processed Food Products Export Authority (APEDA) for exporting their mangoes.
Eight to nine metric tons per annum is the total estimated production in Gujarat.
Kesar harvest starts in mid-April and goes on until end of May. Farmers cultivate
mango, using saplings that are prepared by either using soft wood graft or approach
graft. In the soft wood graft approach, a branch of Kesar mango and a branch of the
local variety of mango is used and the resultant plant can be planted after six months.
In the approach graft, two plants rub against each other and eventually seal together.
This process is done either in a garden or in green house. In the approach grafting, it
takes up to 2 years to develop a plant that is ready for sapling. The difference between
3 According to the horticulture department, Government of Gujarat.
N. Lalitha
of India has declined drastically in 2013 after a steep rise observed in 2010. While
it is true that the domestic demand for mango is very high and hence, the quantity
available for exports is less, which is perhaps reflected in Table 3. Table 3 also reports
that Arab countries have been the major importers of fresh mangoes from India.
3.1 Mango Cultivation in Gujarat
Table 4 informs us that around 25 states of India produce mangoes and Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana are among the states with relatively
higher productivity. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have been in the top position in three
consecutive years in mango productivity. Gujarat ranks 5th (2016–17) in mango productivity compared to other states. Interactions with HDGOG and HDJAU revealed
that around 20 years back, Gujarat farmers were also cultivating varieties other than
Kesar, but in the recent years, only Kesar mango is cultivated. The main reason for
the shift is that Kesar mango yields regularly as compared to other popular varieties
such as alphonso which bears fruits during alternate years.
Kesar mango is a popular fruit among the consumers in Gujarat. According to
the faculty of HDJAU, there are about 15 lakh mango trees in the Gir area alone.
The area is increasing by 200–300 ha every year (officials of HDGOG). Total 1.30
lakh hectares is under mango cultivation in Gujarat. Kutch, South Gujarat, Junagadh
regions are well known for mango cultivation. Table 5 gives the area and production
of mangoes in Gujarat.
The uniqueness of the kesar mango lay in its rich taste, sweetness, saffron colour
and fibreless flesh. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation has registered Gir Kesar
mango with the Geographical Indications (GI) registry. Particularly, Junagadh and
Gir Somnath districts are the two major production districts of Kesar mango and
come in the jurisdiction of the GI area and the mango from this region is known
as Gir Kesar mango. In these two districts approximately about 10,000 farmers are
engaged in mango cultivation.
3 More than 70% of the farmers are small holders with
less than 3 ha of land. Corporate mango farming that involves farming in more than
200 ha is also prevalent and carried out by a handful of big landholders. 3.6% of
the estimated 10,000 or 362 farmers have so far registered with Agricultural and
Processed Food Products Export Authority (APEDA) for exporting their mangoes.
Eight to nine metric tons per annum is the total estimated production in Gujarat.
Kesar harvest starts in mid-April and goes on until end of May. Farmers cultivate
mango, using saplings that are prepared by either using soft wood graft or approach
graft. In the soft wood graft approach, a branch of Kesar mango and a branch of the
local variety of mango is used and the resultant plant can be planted after six months.
In the approach graft, two plants rub against each other and eventually seal together.
This process is done either in a garden or in green house. In the approach grafting, it
takes up to 2 years to develop a plant that is ready for sapling. The difference between
3 According to the horticulture department, Government of Gujarat.