Farmers sell 19 tonnes of fruits on day one

Mysuru: A five-day Mango and Jackfruit Mela, organised by the Department of Horticulture and Zilla Panchayat to market many varieties of mangoes at Curzon Park in city received overwhelming response from both buyers and sellers on the second day of the mela yesterday.  

Each mango grower in every stall did a good business on the first day of the mela on Friday despite the rain that lashed city in the evening. The farmers sold about 19 tonnes of fruits on day one.  

Carbide, plastic-free and naturally ripened fruits are the major attractions of the mela. Besides fruits, the Horticulture department has also kept a variety of mango saplings for sale.

A farmer, who is a first-time participant said, he has been doing good business. “I have sold 50 kg of mangoes till 2 pm on Saturday,” he said.

Buyers are thronging the venue from many places in city along with their wife, children and other of their family members to buy the mangoes,  which is also called the ‘King of Fruits’, of various varieties carrying cloth bags with them. The mela will be held till May 28 from 10 am to 7 pm.

About 42 mango growers from across Karnataka including Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Mysuru and Ramanagaram districts have set up their stalls and sold their fruits.

They are more than 15 mango varieties such as Badami, Mallika, Dussheri, Amrapali, Malagova, Rasapuri, Sindoora, Thotapuri, Sakkare Guthi, Rathnagiri Alphonso, Baganapalli and Kesar, which are sold between Rs. 20 and Rs.70 per kilogram.  

The mela registered the sale of 19,513 kilogram on the first day. Of this, Badami &Alphonso (10,700 kgs sold at Rs. 60 per kg), Rasapuri (4,025 kgs sold at Rs. 45 per kg), Malagova(1,535 kgs  sold at Rs.50 per kg), Totapuri (88 kgs sold Rs. 20 per kg), Banganapalli (310 kgs sold at Rs. 40 per kg), Dussheri (860 kgs sold at Rs.55 per kg), Sakkare Guthi (675 kgs sold at Rs. 70 per kg),  Valaja (400 kgs), Amrapali was sold for Rs.60 per kg and Sendura for Rs. 30 per kg.

Buyers were seen arguing with stall owners over prices of some of the varieties as the growers were collecting an excess of Rs. 5 to Rs.10 per kilo against the prices fixed by the Horticulture Department.

Following complaints from the public, Deputy Director of Horticulture Dr. Sanjay and Senior Assistant Director Habeeba Nishadth inspected the stalls yesterday and directed the sellers to display the price list of their products. They threatened to vacate the sellers for collecting excess amount than the fixed prices.          

Nishadth said that the prices were little less on day one and owing to farmers demand; the prices have been slightly increased. The price will remain same till the end of the mela.

“The selling price is fixed by the department. However, yielding to the farmers request the authorities have revised the prices and we hope of doing good business,” said a vendor.

“Artificially ripened mangoes, which are harmful to health, are being sold by roadside shopkeepers across city. Hence, the initiative by Horticulture Department is really commendable as the consumers will get naturally ripened mangoes,” said many consumers, who visited the stall.

Speaking to SOM, officials of the Horticulture Department said that they have been organising such mela in city for the past few years with the main intention to provide marketing facility to growers besides to spread awareness to sell naturally -ripened mangoes.

One of the consumer said, “Every year, I visit the mango mela. Although the prices are slightly high as compared to the market rates, the taste and quality is good. In the open market, it is difficult to differentiate between the naturally and artificially ripened mangoes. But here, I can buy mangoes with trust.”

Jackfruit growers from Doddaballapur district have also displayed jackfruit varieties like Chandrabangara, Rudraskhi, white and yellow colour jackfruits. A kilogram of jackfruit is available for Rs. 20.

Officials of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have also camped here to check quality of the fruits thrice a day at every stall.

Sasya Santhe too a big hit

Visitors are also buying saplings of fruit-bearing trees, ornamental plants and vegetables of 100 varieties at Sasya Santhe, organised as part of the mela. People were also seen buying the saplings which were sold between Rs.8 and Rs.35 per plant. Curry leaves sapling sold for Rs. 20 for one piece, Bela sapling sold Rs. 20, Kanagale for Rs. 20, Mango sapling Rs. 50, Guava sapling for Rs. 40, Gooseberries for Rs. 25, Mysuru Jasmine sapling for Rs. 25, Mysuru betelnut sapling for Rs.20.

The Department is also selling saplings at Rangasamudra, Hebbal, Kukkarahalli Lake and Elachanahalli Horticulture Department Nurseries on regular days.