Growers from Ramanagara to organise mango fair in city

Mangaluru: Maavu Mela, a mango fair, has been organised by the Ramanagara Zilla Maavu Thotada Belegarara Marata Sangha in collaboration with the horticulture department from May 28 to 31 at the Kadri Park in the city.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, the association’s president, Ramesh, explained that various varieties of high-quality and naturally ripened mangoes such as Alphonso, Badami, Mallika, Raspuri, Malgova, Sindhura, Kalapadi, Totapuri, Banganapalli, and Sugar Baby will be available for sale at competitive prices.

Another member Vasu said that around 25 mango growers from Ramanagara are expected to participate in the fair. Sales will be conducted from 8am to 8.30pm. He added that they expect to sell approximately 25 tons this year.

The fair will be inaugurated by speaker UT Khader at 11am on May 28. Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath will preside over the event. Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Mangaluru City police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH, DC Darshan HV, horticulture department director Ibrahim Maigur, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbhari, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner Ravichandra Naik, horticulture department additional director S Nanda, and Dakshina Kannada District Krishika Samaja president Vijay Kumar Rai will be the guests.

Horticulture department officials said that due to a lack of funds, the department is not organising the mango fair this year. Last year, a grant of Rs 75,000 was received under the ZP’s promotional scheme for organising the mango fair, but this year the scheme has been cancelled, the officer said.