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CHAPTER - III
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF
MANGO CULTIVATION

‘Mango’ (Mangifera indica Linn) is the most important fruit of India

and is known as “King of fruits”. The fruit is cultivated in the largest area i.e.

2,312 thousand ha and the production is around 15.03 million tons, contributing

40.48% of the total world production of mango. The main mango producing

states in India are Uttar Pradesh (23.86%), Andhra Pradesh (22.14%),

Karnataka (11.71%), Bihar (8.79%), Gujarat (6.00%) and Tamil Nadu (5.09%).

Total export of mangoes from India is 59.22 thousand tons, valuing Rs.162.92

crores during 2010-11. India exports mango to over 40 countries worldwide.

The major importing countries of India’s Mangoes during the period of 2010-11

were UAE (61.79%), Bangladesh (11.41%), UK (8.92%), Saudi Arabia (3.79%),

Kuwait (2.32%), and Bahrain (2.19%) respectively.

Each fruit measures 5 to 15 cms in length and about 4 to 10 cms in

width, and has typical “mango” shape, or sometimes oval or round. Its weight

ranges from 150 gm to around 750 gm. Outer skin (pericarp) is smooth and is

green in un-ripe mangoes but turns in ripe fruits into golden yellow, crimson

red, yellow or orange-red depending upon the cultivar type. Fresh mango

season lasts from April until August.

Mango comes in different shapes and sizes depending upon cultivar

types. Internally, its flesh (mesocarp) is juicy, orange-yellow in color with

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numerous soft fibrils radiating from its centrally placed flat, oval-shaped stone

(enveloping a single large kidney-shaped seed). Its flavor is pleasant and rich,

and tastes sweet with mild tartness. A high-quality mango fruit should feature

no or very less fiber content and minimal tartness. Mango seed (stone) may

either has a single embryo, or sometimes polyembryonic.

Health benefits of Mangos

 Mango fruit is rich in pre-biotic dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and poly-

phenolic flavonoid antioxidant compounds.

 According to new research study, mango fruit has been found to protect

against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. Several trial studies

suggest that polyphenolic anti-oxidant compounds in mango are known

to offer protection against breast and colon cancers.

 Mango fruit is an excellent source of Vitamin-A and flavonoids like beta-

carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. 100 g of fresh fruit

provides 765 IU or 25% of recommended daily levels of vitamin-A.

Together; these compounds have been known to have antioxidant

properties and are essential for vision. Vitamin A is also required for

maintaining healthy mucos and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich

in carotenes is known to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

 Fresh mango is a good source of potassium. 100 g fruit provides 156 mg

of potassium while just 2 mg of sodium. Potassium is an important component

of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
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 It is also a very good source of vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin-C and

vitamin-E. Consumption of foods rich invitamin C helps the body

develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful

oxygen-free radicals. Vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine is required for GABA

hormone production within the brain. It also controls homocystiene

levels within the blood, which may otherwise be harmful to blood

vessels resulting in coronary artery disease (CAD), and stroke.

 Further, it composes moderate amounts of copper. Copper is a co-factor

for many vital enzymes, includingcytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide

dismutase (other minerals function as co-factors for this enzyme are

manganese and zinc). Copper is also required for the production of red

blood cells.

 Additionally, mango peel is also rich in phytonutrients, such as the

pigment antioxidants like carotenoids and polyphenols.

Principle Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA

Energy 70 Kcal 3.5%
Carbohydrates 17 g 13%
Protein 0.5 g 1%
Total Fat 0.27 g 1%
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Dietary Fiber 1.80 g 4.5%
Vitamins
Folates 14 µg 3.5%
Niacin 0.584 mg 3.5%
Pantothenic acid 0.160 mg 1%
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Pyridoxine (vit B-6) 0.134 mg 10%

Riboflavin 0.057 mg 4%
Thiamin 0.058 mg 5%
Vitamin C 27.7 mg 46%
Vitamin A 765 IU 25.5%
Vitamin E 1.12 mg 7.5%
Vitamin K 4.2 µg 3.5%
Electrolytes
Sodium 2 mg 0%
Potassium 156 mg 3%
Minerals
Calcium 10 mg 1%
Copper 0.110 mg 12%
Iron 0.13 mg 1.5%
Magnesium 9 mg 2%
Manganese 0.027 mg 1%
Zinc 0.04 mg 0%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß 445 µg --
Carotene-a 17 µg --
Crypto-xanthin-ß 11 µg --
Lutein-zeaxanthin 0 µg --
Lycopene 0 µg --
Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/

Selection and storage

Mangos are seasonal fruits; fresh mango fruit season begins by March

end when its rich fragrance heralds its arrival in the markets.

Mangoes usually harvested while they are green but perfectly matured.

Un-ripe ones are extremely sour in taste. Organic mangoes are left to ripe on

the tree; however, over-ripe fruits fall off from the tree and tend to get spoiled.
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In the store, mangoes come in various sizes and colors; therefore, select

the one based on the serving size and variety of fruit you love to devour.

“Alphanso” variety from India (Maharashtra state) and “sindhuri" (kesar) varieties

from Pakistan are known for their uniqueness. Totapuri mangoes feature

parrot-beak shape tips, smooth shiny and come in attractive green-yellow or

orange colors. Totapuri types are best eaten raw, or while just short of full-ripe

stage. Its pulp features a pleasnt blend of sweet and tart taste with special mint

or clove-like flavor depending on the cultivars. Several US cultivars such as

Hayden, and hybrids are also equally popular.

Choose ones with intact skin without any bruises or cuts. Unripe

mangoes can be kept at room temperature for few days, and to ripen, keep them

in paper covers. Ripe fruits should be stored in the refrigerator but never below

10° F (50°C). Bring back to normal temperature when the fruit is to be eaten to

get the natural taste and flavor.

The mango is a juicy stone fruit (drupe) belonging to the genus Mangifera,

consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees, cultivated mostly for edible fruit.

The majority of these species are found in nature as wild mangoes. They all

belong to the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native

to South Asia, from where it has been distributed worldwide to become one of

the most cultivated fruits in the tropics.

Mangoes are widely used in cuisine. Sour, unripe mangoes are used

in chutneys, athanu, pickles, side dishes, or may be eaten raw with salt, chili,
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or soy sauce. A summer drink called aam panna comes from mangoes. Mango

pulp made into jelly or cooked with red gram dhal and green chillies may be

served with cooked rice. Mango lassi is popular throughout South Asia,

prepared by mixing ripe mangoes or mango pulp withbuttermilk and sugar.

Ripe mangoes are also used to make curries. Aamras is a popular thick juice

made of mangoes with sugar or milk, and is consumed with chapatis or pooris.

The pulp from ripe mangoes is also used to make jam called mangada.

Andhra aavakaaya is a pickle made from raw, unripe, pulpy, and sour mango,

mixed with chili powder, fenugreek seeds, mustard powder, salt, and groundnut

oil. Mango is also used in Andhra to make dahl preparations. Gujaratis use mango

to make chunda (a spicy, grated mango delicacy).

Mangoes are used to make murabba (fruit preserves), muramba (a sweet,

grated mango delicacy), amchur (dried and powdered unripe mango), and

pickles, including a spicy mustard-oil pickle and alcohol. Ripe mangoes are

often cut into thin layers, desiccated, folded, and then cut. These bars are

similar to dried guava fruit bars available in some countries. The fruit is also

added to cereal products such as muesli and oat granola. Mangoes are often

prepared charred in Hawaii.

Unripe mango may be eaten with bagoong (especially in the Philippines),

fish sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, or with dash of salt (plain or spicy). Dried strips

of sweet, ripe mango (sometimes combined with seedless tamarind to form

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mangorind) are also popular. Mangoes may be used to make juices, mango

nectar, and as a flavoring and major ingredient in ice cream and sorbetes.

Mango is used to make juices, smoothies, ice cream, fruit bars, raspados,

aguas frescas, pies, and sweet chili sauce, or mixed with chamoy, a sweet and

spicy chili paste. It is popular on a stick dipped in hot chili powder and salt or

as a main ingredient in fresh fruit combinations. In Central America, mango is

either eaten green mixed with salt, vinegar,black pepper, and hot sauce, or ripe

in various forms. Toasted and ground pumpkin seed (pepita) with lime and salt

are eaten with green mangoes.

Pieces of mango can be mashed and used as a topping on ice cream or

blended with milk and ice as milkshakes. Sweet glutinous rice is flavored

with coconut, then served with sliced mango as a dessert. In other parts of

Southeast Asia, mangoes are pickled with fish sauce and rice vinegar. Green

mangoes can be used in mango salad with fish sauce and dried shrimp. Mango

with condensed milk may be used as a topping for shaved ice.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the most important fruit of India. It is

grown over an area of 1.23 million hectares in the country producing 10.99

million tonnes. It accounts for 22.1 per cent of total area (5.57 million ha) and

22.9 per cent of total production of fruits (47.94 million tonnes) in the country.

Though Uttar Pradesh has the largest area of 0.27 million hectares under

mango, Andhra Pradesh has the highest productivity of 12 tonnes per hectare.

While Andhra Pradesh produces 3.07 million tonnes of mango, U.P., Bihar and
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Karnataka produce 2.39, 1.79 and 0.92 million tonnes, respectively. India ranks

first among world’s mango producing countries accounting for 52.63 per cent

of the total world’s mango production of 19 million tonnes.

CLIMATE

Mango is very well adapted to tropical and subtropical climates. It

thrives well in almost all the regions of the country from sea level to an altitude

of 1500 m, i.e., from Cape Comerin to Himalayas. However, it cannot be grown

commercially in areas above 600 m. Temperature, rainfall, wind velocity and

altitude are the main climatic factors which influence its growth and fruiting. It

cannot stand severe frost, especially when the tree is young. High temperature

by itself is not so injurious to mango, but in combination with low humidity

and high winds, affects the trees adversely.

Most of the mango varieties thrive in places with good rainfall (75 to

375 cm per annum) and dry season. The distribution of rainfall is more important

than its amount. Dry weather before blossoming is conducive to profuse

flowering. Rain during flowering is detrimental to the crop as it interferes with

pollination. However, rain during fruit development is good but heavy rains

cause damage to ripening fruits. Strong winds and cyclones during the fruiting

season can play havoc as they cause excessive fruit drop.

SOIL

Mango grows well on wide variety of soils, such as lateritic, alluvial,

sandy loam and sandy. Although it grows very well in high to medium fertility
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soils, its cultivation can be made successful even in low fertility soils by

appropriate management especially during early stages of growth. Very poor

and stony soils on hill slopes should, however, be avoided. The loamy, alluvial,

well drained, aerated and deep soils rich in organic matter with a pH range of

5.5 to 7.5 are most for mango cultivation. The extremely sandy, shallow, rocky,

water-logged, heavy textured and alkaline or calcareous soils are not suitable

for mango cultivation.

VARIETIES

There are more than thousand mango varieties in India. However, only

about 30 varieties are grown on commercial scale in different states. Important

mango varieties cultivated in different states of India.

States Varieties
Banganpalli, Bangalora,Cherukurasam, Himayuddin,
Andhra Pradesh
Suvarnarekha
Bihar Bombai, Langra, Fazri, Himsagar, Kishen Bhog, Sukul, Bathua
Goa Fernandin, Mankurad, Alphonso
Gujarat Alphonso, Kesar, Rajapuri, Vanraj
Haryana Dashehari, Langra, Bombay Green
Karnataka Alphonso, Bangalora, Mulgoa, Neelum, Pairi
Kerala Mundappa, Olour, Pairi
Madhya Pradesh Alphonso, Bombai, Langra and mostly seedling types
Maharashtra Alphonso, Kesar, Mankurad, Mulgoa, Pairi
Baneshan, Langra, Neelum, Suvarnarekha and mostly
Orissa
seedling types
Punjab Dashehari, Langra, Chausa
Tamil Nadu Banganpalli, Bangalora, Neelum, Rumani, Mulgoa
Bombay Green, Dashehari, Fajri, Langra, Safeda Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh
Chausa
West Bengal Bombai, Himsagar, Kishan Bhog, Langra
Source: www.horticultureworld.net/mango-india.htm
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Characteristics of important Indian varieties

1. Alphonso: This is the leading commercial variety of Maharashtra state and

one of the choicest varieties of the country. This variety is known by

different names in different regions, viz. Badami, Gundu, Khader, Appas,

Happus and Kagdi Happus. The fruit of this variety is medium in size, ovate

oblique in shape and orange yellow in colour. The fruit quality is excellent

and keeping quality is good. It has been found good for canning purpose. It

is a mid season variety

2. Bangalora: It is a commercial variety of south India. The fruit size is

medium to large, its shape is oblong with necked base and colour is golden

yellow. Fruit quality is poor. Keeping quality is very good. It is widely used

for processing. It is a mid season variety.

3. Banganpalli: It is a commercial variety of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

and also known as Chapta, Safeda, Baneshan and Chaptai. Fruit is large in

size and obliquely oval in shape. The colour of the fruit is golden yellow.

Fruit quality and keeping quality are good. It is a mid season variety and is

good for canning.

4. Bombai: It is a commercial variety from Bihar state. It is also known as

Malda in West Bengal and Bihar. Fruit size is medium, shape ovate-oblique

and colour yellow. Fruit quality and keeping quality are medium. It is an

early season variety.

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5. Bombay Green: It is commonly grown in north India due to its early

ripening habit. It is also called Malda in Northern India. Fruit size is

medium, shape ovate oblong and fruit colour is spinach green. Fruit quality

is good and keeping quality is medium. It is a very early variety.

6. Dashehari: This variety derives its name from the village Dashehari near

Lucknow. It is a leading commercial variety of north India and one of the

best varieties of our country. The fruit size is medium, shape is oblong to

oblong oblique and fruit colour is yellow. Fruit quality is excellent keeping

quality is good. It is a mid season variety and is mainly used for table purpose.

7. Fajri: This variety is commonly grown in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar

and West Bengal. Fruit is very large, obliquely oval in shape. Fruit colour is

light chrome. Fruit quality and keeping quality are medium. This is a late

season variety.

8. Fernnadin: This is one of the oldest varieties of Bombay. Some people

think that this variety originated in Goa. Fruit size is medium to large, fruit

shape is oval to obliquely oval and fruit colour is yellow with a red blush on

shoulders. Fruit quality and keeping quality are medium. It is a late season

variety mostly used for table purpose.

9. Himsagar: This variety is indigenous to Bengal. This is one of the choicest

varieties of Bengal and has gained extensive popularity. Fruit is of medium

size, ovate to ovate oblique. Fruit colour is yellow. Both fruit and keeping

quality are good. It is an early variety.

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10. Kesar: This is a leading variety of Gujarat with a red blush on the

shoulders. Fruit size is medium, shape oblong and keeping quality is good.

It is an early variety.

11. Kishen Bhog: This variety is indigenous to Murshidabad in West Bengal.

Fruit size is medium, fruit shape is roundish oblique and fruit colour is

yellow. Fruit quality and keeping quality are good. It is a mid season variety.

12. Langra: This variety is indigenous to Varanasi area of Uttar Pradesh. It is

extensively grown in northern India. Fruit is of medium size, ovate shape

and lettuce green colour. Fruit quality is good. Keeping quality is medium.

It is a mid season variety.

13. Mankurad: This variety is of commercial importance in Goa and in the

neighbouring Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The variety develops black

spots on the skin in rainy season. Fruit is medium in size, ovate in shape

and yellow in colour. Fruit quality is very good. Keeping quality is poor. It

is a mid season variety.

14. Mulgoa: This is a commercial variety of southern India. It is quite popular

among the lovers of mango owing to high quality of its fruit. Fruit is large

in size, roundish oblique in shape and yellow in colour. Fruit quality is very

good. Keeping quality is good. It is a late season variety.

15. Neelum: This is a commercial variety indigenous to Tamil Nadu. It is an

ideal variety for transporting to distant places owing to its high keeping
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quality. Fruit is medium in size, ovate oblique in shape and saffron yellow

in colour. Fruit quality is good and keeping quality is very good. It is a late

season variety.

16. Chausa: This variety originated as a chance seedling in the orchard of a

Talukadar of Sandila district Hardoi, U.P. It is commonly grown in northern

parts of India due to its characteristic flavour and taste. Fruit is large in size,

ovate to oval oblique in shape and light yellow in colour. Fruit quality is

good keeping quality is medium. It is a late variety.

17. Suvarnarekha: This is a commercial variety of Visakhapatnam district of

Andhra Pradesh. Other synonyms of this variety are Sundari, Lal Sundari.

Fruit is medium in size and ovate oblong in shape. Colour of the fruit is

light cadmium with a blush of jasper red. Fruit quality is medium and

keeping quality is good. It is an early variety.

18. Vanraj: It is a highly prized variety of Vadodra district of Gujarat and

fetches good returns. Fruit is medium in size, ovate oblong in shape and

colour is deep chrome with a blush of jasper red on the shoulders. Fruit

quality and keeing quality good. It is a mid season variety.

19. Zardalu: This variety is indigenous to Murshidabad in West Bengal. Fruit

size is medium, oblong to obliquely oblong and golden yellow in colour.

Fruit quality is very good. Keeping quality is medium. It is a mid season

variety.
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Hybrid Varieties

i) Amarapali: This hybrid is from a cross of Dashehari x Neelum. It is

dwarf, regular bearing and late maturing variety. The variety is suitable

for high density planting as about 1600 plants may be planted in a

hectare. It yields on an average 16 tonnes / hectare.

ii) Mallika: It is from a cross of Neelum x Dashehari. Its fruit is large in

size, oblong elliptical and in shape cadmium yellow in colour. Fruit and

keeping quality are good. It is a mid season variety.

iii) Arka Aruna: It is a hybrid between Baganpalli and Alphonso. It is dwarf

regular bearing, precocious. Fruits are large having attractive skin colour

with red blush free from spongy tissue.

iv) Arka Puneet: It is a hybrid between Alphonso and Banganpalli. It regular

and prolific bearer. Fruits are medium sized having attractive skin colour

with red blush and free from spongy tissue. Excellent keeping quality.

v) Arka Anmol: This hybrid is from a cron of Alphonso and Janardhan

Pasand. It is regular bearer and good yielder. Fruits are medium sized

having uniform yellow peel colour, excellent keeping quality and free

from spongy tissue.

vi) Arka Neelkiran: It is a hybrid between Alphonso and Neelum. It is

regular bearering late season variety with medium sized fruits having

attractive red blush free from spongy tissue.

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vii) Ratna: This hybrid is from a cross of Neelum x Alphonso. Tree vigorous,

precautions, fruits are medium sized, attractive in colour and free from

spongy tissue.

viii) Sindhu: It is from a cross of Ratna x Alphonso. It is regular bearer, fruits

medium sized, free from spongy tissue with high pulp to stone ratio and

very thin and small stone.

ix) Au Rumani: It is from a cross of Rumani x Mulgoa. It is precocious,

heavy and regular bearing with large fruits having yellow cadmium skin

colour.

x) Manjeera: This hybrid is from a cross of Rumani x Neelum. It is dwarf,

regular and prolific bearer with firm and fibre less flesh.

Other hybrid varieties released are Alfazali, Sundar Langra, Sabri,

Jawahar, Neelphonso, Neeleshan, Neeleshwari and PKM2.

MANGO CULTIVATION IN INDIA

Mango has been grown in India since long and is considered to be king

of fruits. Its mention has been made in Sanskrit literature as Amra.

Alexander the great found a mango garden in Indus valley in 327 B.C.

Ameer Khurso saint and poet from Turkoman wrote a poem on mango as early

as 1330 A.D. Akbar the great (1556-1605) planted one lac mango trees in his

bagh, which was named as Lakh Bagh.

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Origin

Vavilov suggested ‘Indo-Burma’ region as the centre of origin of

mango. Folklore and religious sites of Indian people are attached to mango.

Mango has attained the status of the national fruit of India. It travelled to west;

South Africa and Mexico through mango stones. Genus Mangifera contains 49
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species of which only 41 are valid. Mangifera indica to which the most of the

present Indian cultivars belong is of great importance. Over one thousand

varieties have been reported belonging to this genus. Some other genus found

growing in India are M. sylvatica; M. caloneura, M. foetida and M. caesia. At

present mango is commercially grown in Asia and European countries.

Area and Production

Mango is commercially cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal,

Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttara Khand, Punjab and Haryana,

Maharashtra and Gujarat. Mango cultivated over an area of 2309 thousand

hectares with an annual production of 12750 thousand metric tones. India

produces quality mangoes; Alphonso is highly liked by the western countries.

In Punjab, mango is being cultivated in whole of the sub-moutane belt

comprising Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur Roop Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib,

Mohali and Patiala districts. Now its cultivation has spread to arid canal

irrigated areas of northern India.

Uses

Mango leaves are fed to cattle in the shortage of fodder. Leaves are also

used in various ceremonies in Hindu rituals. Mango tree has certain medicinal

properties. Its wood is used for furniture making and as fuel. Fruit is a source

of vitamin A and C. Mango pulp is laxative in nature and has unique nutritional

value.
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Fruit is utilized at all stages of development in various ways ranging from

chutney, pickles and curries. Ripe fruit is taken after meals. Various types of

syrups, nectar, jams and jelleys are prepared from the pulp/juice. The stones

kernels are fed to pigs. The bark of the wood is useful in the industry.

Flowering and Fruiting

The grafted mango plants can bear inflorescence in the first year of its

planting. This in-florescence should be removed for enhancing vegetative

growth required for canopy of the tree. Well nourished grafted plants may start

bearing after 3-5 years of plantings depending upon the nature of the cultivar.

In northern India flowering in mango takes place in February- March. Few

plants in an orchard flower in December or January.

These inflorescences can be damaged by frost, which is a normal feature

in this part of the country. Flowering on the same tree can continue for a month

due to differences in shoot maturity. This can be avoided by withholding

irrigation to the orchard during October-November and spraying 100 ppm

NAA in October and repeating the same in November. It takes 5-6 months

depending upon the cultivar to mature and ripen the / fruits, after flowering. In

Northern India mango give flushes of new growth from February to November.

The number of these flushes depends upon many factors, particularly, cultivar,

nutrition and irrigation (soil moisture). In orchards with assured irrigation

facilities, there can be 5-6 flushes in comparison to 3-4 in rain-fed conditions.

One should take more flushes in young non-bearing plants, but flushes should
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be restricted up to October in bearing trees. This practice shall help the growers

to get regular crop with good yield.

Flower-bud Differentiation

The bud apex become dome-shaped, broaden and get round. The scales

grow and conical shape of the bud is the first sign of mango bud differentiation.

Flower bud differentiation depends upon many factors such as cultivar,

temperature, nutrition and growing of inter crops. For example in Bagpat area

of U.P. flower bud differentiation takes place in November- December, but in

Punjab it takes place in September-October.

Training of the Tree

It is very necessary to give the mango trees desired training by regular

pruning, for the first 3-4 years of growth. Mango needs little annual pruning,

because it grows to a dome-shaped tree in a natural way remove the lower most

shoots near the ground. Allow the plant to grow as single stem up to the height

of 50-60 cms.

Select scaffolds on all sides of the trurJc at a distance of 15 to 20 cms.

No scaffold should be selected one above the other at least less than 40 cms of

distance. These scaffolds should be pinched at the apices to get side branches

on each scaffold. Thus there can be 8-10 branches on a tree, providing the

shape of an umbrella to the tree.

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Soil

Mango can be grown on a variety of soils. Poorly drained soils should

be avoided. It does not perform well in soils with pH more than 7.8. Alluvial

soils with good amount of organic matter and soil pH between 6.5 to 7.5 are

best suited for mango orchards.

Site

Normally growers feel that mango can be planted anywhere as it is a

hardy plant. This is not true. It is very sensitive to both harsh summer

temperature and winter frosts/freeze. The site for commercial plantation should

be selected in an area where already mango orchards exist. It should not be

planted in the vicinity of brick-kilns, because fumes emitted by the burning of

coal are harmful to the mango fruits. A disease called black tip of mango is

associated with these fumes.

Climate

Mango is a tropical fruit but is successful in sub-tropical conditions. At

the time of flowering the occurrence of frost and rain is harmful. The most

suitable temperature for the growth of mango is 22 – 27°C. Rains at fruit

maturity are beneficial for the improvement of fruit size and quality.

Cultivars

Numerous cultivars of mango are being cultivated throughout the

country. There are three kinds of mango cultivars depending upon the purpose,
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viz. pickle, sucking and table types. Different mango cultivars are suited to

different agro- climatic zones. Hence, while selecting a cultivar for orcharding,

the fruit quality, productivity and adaptability to the area should be given prime

importance. For example, Alphonso is very successful in Maharashtra and Goa

areas; Dusehari in Lucknow (U.P.) and Suvamarekha in A.P. Kishan Bhog has

failed in Punjab due to frost.

Time of Fruit Maturity in India

Month Area

February – July Andhra Pradesh

April – July Gujrat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu

May – August Bihar, Kamataka, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal

June – August Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan

July – September Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir

Due care should be given while choosing a cultivar for commercial use.

Dusehari, Langa, Chausa, Amrapali, Rampur gola, Bambay green and Alphonso

along with over sixty sucking types are performing very well at Fruit Research

Station, Gangian of Punjab Agricultural University. Some other new promising

xariates in India are Pusa Arunima, Pisa Surya, Ambika, CISH-M2etc. Some

important mango cultivars are discussed.

1. Alphonso

Most important cultivar of mango having export potential. It is performing

well in the Ratnagiri area of Maharashtra, and to a small extent in Gujrat and
 96

Karnataka. It has been recommended for North India too Alphonso is known

by different names in different areas as Kagji, Badami, Aphur and Hapur etc.

Tree is medium, upright and spreading. Fruit is of medium in size (250 g.).

It has thin skin with attractive blush on yellow ground. Flesh is firm and of

excellent quality. It has good TSS: acid ratio. In North India fruit ripens in mid

July. TSS ranges between 19-21%. The cultivar is prone to spongy tissue.

2. Amrapali

It is a cross between Dusehari X Neelum and has been released by lARI,

New Delhi. It is a dwarf and regular bearing cultivar suited for close planting.

It is being popularised for its high orchard efficiency. The fruit size is little

smaller than Dusehari, but ripens later than Dusehari. Under Punjab conditions

it rippers in August Fruit has good keeping quality and fruit flavour. The TSS

ranges between 18-20%.

3. Banglora (Totapuri)

It is the commercial cultivar of South. It is regular and heavy bearing

cultivar. Fruit is oblong, large and necked at the base, with prominent beak.

Skin thick, golden in colour, flesh firm and flat in taste, Stone is oblong and

hairy: TSS varies between 15-16%.

4. Banganpali (Safeda)

It is a commercial cultivar of south particularly Andhra Pradesh. Fruits

command premium price in North Indian markets due to its earlyness. Fruits
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remain in the market from March and to July. Trees are of medium in vigour,

spreading with rounded top. Fruit size medium to large (300-450g.), beakless.

Skin thin and smooth, yellow in colour, flesh firm and fibreless, good quality

fruit. Stone have few hairs all over. Keeping quality is good. TSS varies

between 17-18%. Under Punjab conditions fruits ripen in July.

5. Bombay Green (Malda)

It is very popular cultivar of Ganga-Jamuna plains. In Punjab it is

commonly known as Malda. It is heavy bearer with medium-sized fruits of

light green colour. Trees are medium to large, spreading and moderately

vigorous. Fruits are beakless with round spex. Skin is medium thick flesh soft,

fibreless, yellowish with TSS of 17-18%. Stone is densely covered with small

hairs. Fruits ripen from May-July. In Maharashtra it ripens in May and in North

India it ripens in July.

6. Dusehari (Dashehari)

One of the most popular cultivar of North India, with excellent quality

and size of fruit. It is being cultivated in south India also. Trees are moderately

vigorous, spreading with rounded top. Fruit is oblong with round base.

Shoulders are equal and fruit is beakless. Skin is medium thick smooth, yellow,

flesh firm, fibreless pleasant flavour. Taste is very sweet. Stone is medium

covered with fine fibre. It is a regular bearer. Fruits ripens from June-July TSS

19-20 percent.
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7. Fazli

This cultivar originated in Bhagalpur area of Bihar. It spread to North

and West Bengal due to its well-sized fruits. Tree is vigorous and spreading.

Large-sized fruits with stone heaving little fibre. The fruits remain light green

even at ripening. TSS is 17-18 percent. In Punjab fruits ripen in August. In

Bihar it ripens in July.

8. Langra

Very important cultivar of North India after Dusehari. It originated as a

chance seedling in Banaras. Tree is very vigorous and spreading. It is alternate

bearer requires more planting distance due to its vigour. Heavy yielder. Fruit

size is medium, light green at maturity. Very strong and pleasant flavour. Stone

has fine fibre all over. In Punjab it ripens in end July TSS 19- 20 percent.

9. Rampur Gola

This cultivar originated in Rampur (U.P.). Trees are vigorous like

Langra. The leaves are narrower than Langra. It is some what tolerant to frost,

hence suited to Punjab conditions. Fruits can be used for pickle purpose also.

Fruits are round in shape, remains light green at maturity. Skin is medium

thick, flesh whitish yellow and firm. Stone small in size. Taste is good. Ripens

in August. TSS of pulp 18 percent.

10. Samar Bahist Chausa (Chausa)

This is one of the best late ripening cultivar of North India. It originated

is a chance seedling in Malihabad (U.P.). Tree is vigorous and spreading. It is

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also irregular bearer. Fruits are of medium size with equal shoulders, skin

medium thick, flesh firm and fibreless. Quality of fruit very good. It ripens

from July to end August. TSS of pulp 19-20 percent.

Sucking Types

A good collection of promising sucking mangoes is being maintained at

Fruit Research Station Gangian of the Punjab Agricultural University. Out of

sixty promising sucking mango selections some selections have been released

for their cultivation. The outstanding ones are GN2, GN3, GN4, GN5 and

GN12 (Gangian Sindhuri). It is interesting to note that all sucking types are

more or less tolerant to frost than Dusehari and other table purpose cultivars.

Planting

Before planting a mango orchard, the layout and preparation of pits may

be completed at least one month in advance. It is desirable to propagate own

mango plants from a desired mother-tree of a true to type cultivar. In case it is

not possible, then plants may be booked with the Fruit Research Station of

Gurdaspur or at Gangian (Dasuya) of the Punjab Agricultural University.

Mango should preferably be planted from August to October. It can be

planted in March if regular irrigations are applied in summer months.

Planting Distance

It varies from cultivar to cultivar. Langra, Chausa and Rampur gola may

be planted at a distance of 11.0 metres. Semivigorous cultivars like Dusehari

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and Alphanso may be planted at 9 metres apart. Amrapali can be planted at 7

metres or 7 X 3.5 m apart closely planted plants are required to be given a light

pruning at the time of each harvest.

Numbers of plants required for one hectare are as follows

Planting Square Hexagonal

Cultivar
Distance (m) System System
Amrapali 1 X 3.5 392 448
Bombay green Dusehari 7×7 196 224
Alphonso 9×9 121 143
Fazli Langra Chausa 10 X 10 100 110
Rampur gola 11 X 11 81 90

Planting in the Field

Only well-sized healthy plants should be lifted from the nursery. Care

should be taken to lift 80 percent of the feeder root and tap root system in an

earth ball. The earth ball should not be too big to break during transportation.

From distant nursery the plants should be brought in plastic bags of 30 X 15 cm

size. Some quality soil + F.Y.M. mixture may be placed in each bag before

placing the lifted earth ball in the bags.

It is better than trash/grass used for wrapping the earth balls. If it is not

possible to get the polythene bags, than the containers (plastic/wooden) or

crates should be used to pack the plants. This will help in checking the

breakage of earth balls during transportation.

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Remove the packing material gently and place the earth ball in centre of

the prepared pits. The upper surface of the earth ball should be in level with the

soil in the field. The plants should not be planted too high or too low in the

prepared pits. Press the sides of the newly-planted plants carefully without

pressing the original earth balls. Apply light irrigation immediately after

planting and level the surroundings in ‘wattar’ conditions.

Care of the Young Plants

Provide light irrigations at an interval of 4-7 days for a month or so. To

save the grafts from being damaged due to high velocity winds, wooden stakes

of which lower portions are dipped in coaltar to check the attack of white ants

can be provided for the first year. Apply one litre solution to each plant by

mixing chloropyriphos 10 ml/litre, after one month of planting to control white

ants attack. Repeat this treatment in September for the first three years of age

of the plant.

Winter / Frost Protection

Young mango plants are very susceptible to low temperature and frost

injury. Frost can damage grown up trees also. In North India, frost usually

occurs from December to March. Hence adequate protection from winter injury

should be provided to the young plants. Thatches / kullies of Sarkanda or paddy

trash should be prepared in the month of November. Keep the southern side of

the ‘kullies’ open for aeration and sunshine.

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If the rainy reason had little rain then it is definite that severe frost shall

occur in winter. Severe frost during January 2008 killed many mango

plantations. In addition to thatches, a spray of clay (Golu/Pocha) @ 20% may

be given during November before the occurrence of frost. Apply irrigations to

keep the soil moisture in field conditions during winter months. Smudging

should be carried out by burning the dry grass/ weeds or rice trash at some

places in the orchards to keep up the orchard temperature. All these measures

should be taken up simultaneously to protect the mango plantations from frost/

freeze injuries.

Protection during summers

The young plants can be killed by hot summers (loo). Grow arhar

around the plants to provide desired shade. It should be grown at least one

metre away from the plants. White wash the tree trunks in April or wrap the

trunks with paper to avoid sun injury.

Top Working / Rejuvenation

The old inferior, unproductive seedling mango trees can be improved by

top working. The benefit of established root system and well developed

scaffold system can be taken by grafting with a desired cultivar. The limbs of

the trees are headed back during January by keeping 30 cm long stubs. The cut

ends should be smeared with Bordeaux paste/paint. Many shoots emerge on the

stubs during March-April.

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Select out growing two shoots on each stub. Thus there should be not

more than 8-12 shoots over the tree. Remove the rest of the unwanted sprouts.

These shoots are side/veneer grafted during August- September. A new tree is

formed. Keep only successful grafts. Continue to remove the off shoots periodically.

To rejuvenate the old/frost damaged trees, no grafting is done. Rest of

the procedure is same as in top working. At the time of top-working /

rejuvenation it will be beneficial if 30-40 grams of Bavistin is added to the

roots in 5 litres of water to check fungal attack. Sometimes of the trees are

infected with root rot fungi, the sprouts emerging on the stubs may not survive

and get killed soon after, bark of the trunk get loosened and tree dries up.

Inter Cropping or Fillers

Usually mangoes are planted wide apart and have juvenile period of 4-5

years. Hence, the interspaces can profitably be utilized for growing of crops.

Select the intercrop very carefully. For the proper development of root system

and canopy of the young plants, aeration and moisture is very necessary.

It will be beneficial to remove weeds from the basins periodically.

Intercrop should not interfere with the mango plants for nutrition, light and

moisture. Intercrops can be grown for the first 4-5 years of age of the plants.

Wheat can be sown by providing separate irrigation system to the mango

plants. Pulses like grams and massar should be preferred. In Khariff season

Moong or Arhar should be grown. Vegetable growing can be useful than

intercrops. In Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane and poplar are being grown as intercrops.
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Fillers are a good alternative to intercrops. Fruit plants like Plums,

Peaches and Papaya can be planted as filler in mango plantations. Mango is a

slow growing fruit crop. Hence, mango itself can be used a filler, which should

be removed when it starts interfering with the main plants.

Irrigation

Water is life for young plants. Light and frequent irrigations give better

results than flooding after long intervals. Irrigation interval depends upon type

of soil, climate and source of irrigation. The young mango plants should be

kept at field capacity (‘Wattar’) during summers by applying irrigation at 5-7

days interval. Increase this interval slowly to 20 days as the winter starts.

During rainy season avoid irrigation. If intercrops are being grown,

provide separate irrigation system to provide irrigation to the mango plants

during April when wheat do not require any irrigation.

Under North Indian conditions, bearing trees should applied irrigation

one week before flowering and then after fruit set. During winter months, the

interval of irrigation may be over 25-30 days. Proper moist conditions should

be kept from April to October.

Manuring and Fertilization

It has been observed that plants supplied with high quantity of farmyard

manure flourish well than fed with only inorganic / synthetic fertilizers. The

requirements for various nutrients may vary in different soils for different
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mango cultivars. In general, plants should be given nutrition depending upon

the age, canopy and yearly productivity.

Non-bearing but Juvenile

The period between planting to first bearing is known as juvenile period

and stage of growth as juvenility. During this period, plants need nutrition to

give out flushes at regular intervals. The emerging leaves are of coppery or

light green in colour depending upon the cultivar. These leaves take 25 to 30

days to develop green colour. During this period, these leaves draw their

photos3mthates from the older leaves. So it is very necessary to provide

adequate nutrition during the growing period.

It will be appropriate to split the nitrogenous fertilizer dose into 3 or 4

parts and each applied at each flush from March to September. If the

inorganic/synthetic fertilizers are mixed with farm yard manure a few days

before their actual application gives added advantage in terms of availability of

nutrients. Such type of mixing help in checking leaching of nutrients in light

soils. Mix two kilograms of farm yard manure and 20 grams of urea per year

age and apply during February, April and June each year.

Thus each plant shall get 6 kg of F.Y.M. and 60 gm of urea in the first

year and 12 kg F.Y.M. and 120 gm. urea in second year and so on. In the third

year onward additional dose of super phosphate and Muriate of potash should

be applied.
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For the first three years the dose may be split in to three equal parts and

applied in February, April and June. After this apply farm yard measure plus

super phosphate plus muriate potash during December or in January. Urea may

be split applied in February and April. If due to any reason there is no fruiting,

no urea may be given during April.

Since the cost of fertilizers has gone up and efficiency of production is

going down due to frost every year. It is advisable to skip super phosphate and

Muriate of potash in non-bearing (off) year. Leaf analysis should form the basis

of additional application of fertilizers.

Deficiency Symptoms of Essential Elements

Nutrition of mango is an important orchard management practice.

Canopy development and bearing both are dependent upon nutrition. Both

excess and deficiency symptoms are given below.

Nitrogen (N)

Deficiency of N causes stunting in plants. The leaves become light

green, do not attain full size. The old mature leaves become yellow. The flush

length is reduced. In bearing trees the number of flushes is reduced and fruit

size decreases with the severity of deficiency.

Phosphorus

P deficient plants show severe stunting of growth. Leaves may fall

prematurely. Branches show dies back symptoms. High P causes burning of old
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leaves which starts from the margins and progress towards mid-rib, leading to

leaf fall and then drying of branches.

Potassium (K)

K deficiency appears on semi-old leaves usually in the middle of the

shoots. Purplish discoloration of leave start with mild deficiency and intensity

increases with severity of deficiency. The leave showing necrosis progresses on

the more mature leaves. No toxicity of K excess has been observed in North

Indian mango orchards.

Calcium (Ca)

No typical deficiency pattern on leaves has been observed. However

plants remain stunted. Addition of Superphosphate as phosphatic fertilizer

takes care of calcium also. Sufficient Ca is present in superphosphate.

Magnesium (Mg)

Deficiency symptoms appear on mature leaves. Lamina start yellowing

from margins and dark green bands on both sides of the mid-rib are clearly

seen. The deficiency can be checked by spraying magnesium sulphate @ 2g/L

of water at flush time from May to July.

Sulphur (S)

Under field conditions it is very difficult to observe S deficiency.

However, sulphur deficient plants show similar behaviour as N deficient. Plants

grow slowly. S deficient leaves show yellowing of young leaves and scorching
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on the margins of lamina. Gypsum and super phosphate contain adequate

sulphur to meet the requirements of mango.

Manganese (Mn)

Mn is involved in photosynthesis and chlorophyll formation in leaves,

hence deficiency symptoms appear as leaf chlorosis and vein clearing. In

severe deficiency, dark-brown spots appear on the yellow portion of lamina.

Leaves may fall. The deficiency can be controlled by spraying manganese

sulphate @ 2 gm/L of water. Two sprays are sufficient one in April and second

in June.

Zinc Deficiency (Zn)

Zinc deficiency appears on new leaves and the node length is decreased.

The leaves form rosette type of tops. The tips and margins of leaves become

curled. Leaves show clear intervienal chlorosis. To check the deficiency spray

zinc sulphate @ 2 gm/L of water. Two sprays of zinc sulphate at flushing are

sufficient.

Iron (Fe)

Iron is involved in photosynthesis being a part of chlorophyll. It is found

in abundance in most soils. Its deficiency causes interveinal whitish chlorosis

on young leaves in new flushes. Single spray of ferrous sulphate @ 2gm/L of

water during flushing cures the Fe deficiency.

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Copper (Cu)

No deficiency of copper has been reported from mango orchards. The

sprays of Bordeaux, mixture helps in maintaining the copper content of leaves,

hence, there no need to make additional sprays.

Boron (B)

Boron deficiency causes stunting, of growth with light green foliage.

The mid-rib shows browning on the ventral (under) side of leaves. Borax can

be sprayed if need arises.

Chlorine (Cl)

The excess of chlorine adversely affect the foliage of young plants. Leaf

scorching starts from leaf tip and progresses towards petiole. Leaves dry up and

abscise. Salt-free water supply can check this toxicity.

Fruit Set

In mango fruit set is very low. Many panicles do not set any fruit. The

fruit set can be improved by controlling powdery mildew in time. At full bloom

spray NAA @ 2 to 3 ppm to improve fruit set.

Fruit Drop

Fruit drop in mango can be controlled by spraying 10 g of horticultural

grade 2,4-D in 500 litres of water during first week of May. NAA @ 10 ppm

can be sprayed at pea stage to control drop.

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Fruit Harvesting and Post-harvest Management

Mango fruits should be harvested at full maturity along with pedicles.

Utmost care should be taken to avoid injury. Fruit maturity can be assessed in

the orchard itself when a fruit develops little colour of a cultivar or it gets light

green, the fruits are mature enough to be harvested. At this stage, the orchard

may be sprayed with Bavistin @ 1 gm/L of water to control fungal attack in

boxes. Fully mature but firm fruits should be picked up individually or with

help of a harvester machine.

The trees should not be shaken for harvesting, because the fruits on

falling get injured and invite rotting fungi. The maturity time varies from

region to region. In Punjab, early ripening cultivars mature in mid-June to first

week of July. Late cultivars mature in August.

Grading and Packaging

After harvest fruits are placed in shade under a varandah / store. The

grading is done before packing in boxes or baskets. Fruits are graded as per

weight grade A-l00 to 200 gm., B 201- 350 gm, C 351-550 and D-551-800 gm.

The different grades are packed in wooden boxes or baskets.

A basket may contain 50-100 fruits. Straw is used for packing. Wooden

boxes are used for distant marketing. A box may contain 10 kg of fruit. Trash

and paper is used to protect the layer of fruits from the second layer. Perforated

card board is also being used. The fruits are individually packed/wrapped with

tissue paper or paper shavings are used for cushioning.

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Storage

Reducing the post-harvest loss is an important factor for increasing the

income. Green but mature mangoes are stored in cold storages at an optimum

temperature of 10-15°C. If mangoes are stored in controlled atmosphere the

O2 should be 3-7% and CO2 5-8%. Mangoes are prone to low temperature

injury. Loss of flavour and undesirable softening are major symptoms of

chilling injury.

Physiological
1. Alternate Bearing

South Indian cultivars are regular in bearing. But Langra, Chausa,

Rampur gola are specifically alternate bearer in North India. Dusehari and

Arrtrapali are regular bearer. So it is advised to plant regular bearing cultivars.

However, application of Paclobutrazol @ 5 gm/tree in tree basins can be

helpful in checking alternate bearing.

Pachlobutrazol should be applied 3-4 months before actual flowering

takes place. Removing 5-10 cm of shoot along with mango fruit at the time of

harvesting also encourages new growth and help in checking alternate bearing.

Checking of frost injury also helps in regular bearing in frost susceptible

cultivars.

2. Malformation

It is a one of the most serious disorder affecting many mango cultivars.

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There are two types of mango malformation

1. Vegetative malformation is more prevalent in the nurseries.

2. Floral malformation and third type can be mixed malformation. It is a

syndrome. It is thought to be caused by mites or a fungus Fusarium

monileforme or due to imbalance of hormones. Sometimes numerous small

leafy structures appear in place of flowers resembling a witch’s broom

structure. It is commonly called bunchy top. A few or all inflorescences on

a tree can be malformed.

Control

1. Cut and burn the malformed inflorescences/shoots. 2. Spray 100 ppm

of NAA twice, i.e. in first week of October and then first week of November.

NAA solution should be prepared by dissolving 1:1 g (1 gm and l00 mg) of

1-Naphthyl Acetic acid, (C12H10O2) 99% pure in 100 ml of absolute alcohol

and slowly pouring this solution into 100 litres of water. While preparing NAA

solution care must be taken that water is not to be added to the NAA dissolved

in Alcohol, rather NAA dissolved in alcohol is to be poured in water, failing

which NAA will get precipitated. Continuous use of NAA sprays for a number

of years can totally eliminate malformation from the orchard.

3. Jhumka

It is characterized by setting of more number of marble-sized fruitlets at

the tip of the panicle. The fruitlets remain dark-green in colour. Their shape
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resembles that of unfertilized fruits. These fruitlets remain attached to the

panicle without increasing in size.

The cause of such a situation may be

(i) Failure of pollination and fertilization due to weather or insecticide spray at

full bloom.

(ii) Competition of new flush for photosynthates with the developing fruits.

100 ppm NAA sprays during October and November shall take care of

inflorescence development. No insecticide spray should be given at the full

bloom stage. Jaggery (‘Gur’) @ 10 percent can be sprayed at full bloom stage

to attract pollinizers.

4. Spongy Tissue

It is a physiological disorder which usually affect Alphonso cultivar of

mango. North Indian cultivars are not prone to this disorder. A sponge-like

non-edible patch develops in the fruit flesh during ripening. Externally fruits

appear normal only on cutting the fruit the disorder is detected.

The affected fruits give bad odour and are not consumed. By adopting

sod culture in orchards or growing legumes as cover crops or adopting

mulching of basins and keeping soil moisture near field capacity during fruit

development reduces the incidence of spongy tissue development in mango

fruits.
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Pest Management

Since, mango is evergreen tree and grows in flushes, hence prone to the

attack of many insects/pests throughout the year.

1. Mango Mealy Bug (Drosicha Mangifera)

It attacks the plants during flowering and fruiting stage from January to

April. Its males are not harmful but females lay eggs in the soil. Large number

of nymphs crawls up the tree and congregate on the growing shoots and

panicles.

It has become a very serious pest of many fruit plants. Parthenium is

acting as a host plant. Nymphs and females suck the sap from shoots and

panicles and the inflorescences dry up. Unattended mango trees are seen full of

mealy bugs and thus there is no fruiting at all.

Management

(i) Hoeing during summers (April) will kill the eggs and pupae shall be

exposed to natural enemies, and heat of the sun.

(ii) Destroy weeds particularly parthenium (congress grass).

(iii) Nymphs can be prevented from crawling up to the tree trunks by applying

20 cms wide sticky band with greasy / slippery material or alkathene

sheet around the trunks by upto one metre above the ground level during

December. The nymphs congregating below the band/sheet are mechanically

killed or sprayed with methyl parathion 50 EC @ 2 ml/L of water.

(iv) Soil application of toxophene @ 225 gm/tree has been very effective.
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2. Mango Hoppers (Amritodus Atkinsoni; Idioscopus Clypealis and Idioscopus

Niveosparsus Species)

These species of hopper are very active during February- March at the

time of emergence of inflorescences. A number of nymphs and adults attack

tender leaves and emerging inflorescences and suck cell sap. Due to sap sucking,

the inflorescences wither away, turn brown and flowers drop off. Severely

infested trees show retardation of growth. Hoppers excrete honeydew on which

sooty mould develop which affect the photos3nithetic activity in plants.

Management

(i) Avoid closer planting of mangoes.

(ii) Avoid flooding of orchards too often.

(iii) Spray twice, once in February and then in March any one of the

insecticides. Seven 50 EC (Carbaryl) 2g/L of water or Thiodan 35 EC

(Endosulphan) 2 ml/L Or Malathion 50 EC 2 ml/L of water.

3. Stem Borer (Bactocera Rufomaculata)

Sometimes it becomes a serious pest and attacks the tree trunks. The full

grown larva is stout, it makes tunnels in to the trunk under the bark and feed on

internal tissue. Sometimes sap or hard bails of excreta are seen exuding from

the holes.

Management

(i) Clean the tunnel with a hard wire and plug it with cotton soaked in

kerosene oil or chloropyriphos 20 EC (50:50) in water.

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4. Mango Scale

Sometimes it appears as a serious pest in some localities. Large number

of scales are seen under side of leaves. Scales suck cell sap from leaves.

Management

Spray methyl parathion 50 EC @ one ml per litre of water during March

and again in September. The spray should be oriented from under side of the

foliage.

5. Mango Shoot Borer (Chlumetia transversa)

Eggs are laid on tender leaves. Freshly hatched caterpillars bore into

mid-ribs of tender leaves and then bore into new shoots. Thus the upper 4-6

young leave dry up. Young grafted plants are severely attacked. The drying up

to top leaves gives an indication of the borer attack. It is prevalent in August

and September in North India.

Management

At first appearance of drying top leaves spray. Thiodan 35 EC

(endosulphan) @ 2 ml/L of water.

6. Bark Eating Caterpillar (Indarbela quadrinotata)

It is a polyphagous pest which attacks many fruit trees in this region. It

is a pest of neglected orchards. Caterpillars bore into bark at crotches and make

tunnels in the wood. The presence of a ribbon type formation of the dark brown

excretal pellets. Pest is active throughout the year.

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Management

(i) Remove webbing to clean the tunnels with the help of a hard wire.

(ii) Inject kerosene oil or chloropyriphos 20 EC in water (50: 50) in the holes

with a syringe fitted on a plastic bottle. The caterpillar shall come out of

the hole which should be killed.

7. Mango Fruit Fly (Bactrocera darsalis)

It is the most serious pest of all mango growing regions of the world.

The females lay eggs just below the epidermis of the young fruit. The maggots

from the eggs start feeding on the pulp thus a brown patch with resinous

material is seen on the peel. Fruits start rotting and drop. Infested fruits are

unfit for human consumption.

Management

(i) Affected fruits falling on the ground should be dumped in 3-4 feet deep

pits and covered with soil.

(ii) Plough the field and tree basins before the emergence of inflorescences.

(iii) Hang traps containing 100 ml emulsion of methyl Engenol 0.1 percent.

Malathion during fruit development period (April-June) under North

Indian condition.

(iv) Give three sprays of chloropyriphos 20 EC @ 2 ml/L of water at 20 days

interval starting from 1st May.

(v) Dip fruits in 5 percent sodium chloride solution for one hour for killing of

eggs and to remove insecticide residue.

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8. Budmite (Eriophyes mangiferae)

It has been reported to be associated with mango malformation. It sucks

the sap from buds and cause necrosis of tender tissues. Although controlling

mite has not checked the malformation but it has been considered causal

organism of malformation.

Management

(i) Remove all malformed panicles and destroy.

(ii) Spray Rogor or Metasystox @ 2 ml/litre of water during summers (May-

June).

9. Leaf Gall Insect (Apsylla cistellata)

If not checked it becomes a serious pest for all mango cultivars.

Photosynthetic activity is adversely affected. Larvae feed inside the galls.

Management

(i) Spray chloropyriphos 20 EC 3-4 ml per litre when the galls are seen .The

sprays to check fruit fly attack shall automatically manage gall insects

too.

(ii) Four sprays of tar oil (2-3%) during egg laying period at weekly interval

can reduce its incidence.

Diseases

Mango the ‘King’ of fruits of India is attacked by many fungal diseases.

Some of major importances are as under.

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1. Powdery Mildew

It is caused by the fungus Microsphaera mangiferae. Its incidence is

favoured by high humidity and cloudy weather during development of floral

axis. A whitish powdery growth appears on inflorescences. The infected floral

parts show necrotic streaks and eventually drop. Small fruits, branchlets and

floral axis show die-back symptoms Flowers/fruit lets finally drop leaving a

blackened axis.

Control

Spray karathane @ 1.0 gm/litre or wettable sulphur @ 2.5 gm/litre when

the panicles start emerging. Repeat the spray after 20 days. Give another spray

if powdery mass is seen on young fruits and their pedicles.

2. Anthracnose Die Back (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)

It is also known as blossom blight. It is caused by Colletotrichum

gloeosporioides. It causes heavy losses during rains. It affects shoots,

inflorescences and fruits. Affected area develops dark brown to brownish black

spots, which finally wither away. This infection is carried by the fruits to

storage.

Control

(i) Cut and burn the shoots showing spots of canker, anthracnose and dead

branches.

(ii) Spray Bordeaux mixture 2:2:250 thrice, once before inflorescences

appear, then in April and August months.

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3. Twing Die Back or Leaf Blight

It is considered to be most destructive disease of mango. It is caused by

Macrophoma Mangifera. Minute light brown spots appear on shoots and

leaves. Leaves may shrivel and fall down. The bark of affected shoots split

length wise from which gum oozes out. Finally twings show die back. The

fruits developing dark-brown spots may rot.

Control

(i) Select scion wood from disease free healthy mother plants.

(ii) Sterilize the grafting knife before use.

(iii) Cut and burn the affected branches. Apply Bordeaux paint on the cut ends.

(iv) Spray Bordeaux mixture 2:2:250 in April, July and August.

4. Stem Canker

It is caused by Schizo-phyIlium communae. It causes dis-colouration and

drying of leaves on one or more branches. The gum oozes out from infected

parts. Branches may get killed. Small shell-like dirty white fruiting bodies of

the fungus, with gills on the lower side appear in rows on the dead branches.

Control

Same as under Twing die back.

5. Black Tip

It is a physiological disorder caused by toxic gasses emitted by brick-

kiln chimney. It is a serious problem in orchards located near brick-kiln. At

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first there develop a small etiolated area at the distal end of the fruit, which

increases to cover the whole of the tip. Then it turns black. Infected fruits ripen

prematurely and drop early.

Control

(i) Brick-kilns should be at least one kilometer away from an orchard and

chimney should be at least 20m high.

(ii) Spray 0.6% Borax thrice, before flowering, during flowering and then

after fruit set.

(iii) Bordeaux mixture 2:2:250 should be sprayed at pea size and repeated

after 20 days till fruit maturity.

MANGO CULTIVATORS

Apart from numerous seedling varieties, more than a thousand vegetatively

propagated mango cultivars have been reported. Most of these have originated

as chance seedlings selected earlier and further maintained asexually. Majority

of these cultivars is of Indian origin and representation from other parts of the

world is limited in number.

In India, about 30 cultivars are being grown commercially. Majority of

them have narrow adaptability and show eco geographical preferences for

growth and yield (Yadav and Rajan, 1993). However the situation has been

gradually changing in different regions of India. Traditional cultivars, specific

to particular regions are being replaced by those assuring higher returns. The

following is the list of mango cultivators in worldwide.

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Common Origin/
name(s) region
Alampur
India, United States
Baneshan
Alice United States
Almaas Pakistan
India, Pakistan, Ecuador, Egypt, Sudan, United States, Nepal
("King of Mangoes", very sweet with fibreless pulp, rich in
Alphonso vitamin A and C, founded mainly in Devgad & Ratnagiri
Districts of Maharashtra, India. This cultivar is available in Feb
till end of May)
Amrapali India
Anderson United States
Angie United States
Multan, Punjab (Pakistan) ,( Small in size and flesh without
Anwar Ratol
fibre . Peak season is mid July to August.)
Ataulfo Ecuador, Mexico
Bailey's Marvel United States
India (The largest volume mango cultivar in the world, this
medium- golden-yellow interior. Very juicy, slightly tangy with
Banganapalli little or no fibre and a creamy texture. It originates from the
erstwhile princely state of Banganapalle, in present-day Andhra
Pradesh, India.
Bennet
United States
Alphonso
Beverly United States
Black and
India Kerala Black and Rose
Rose
Bombay India, Nepal, United States
Brahm Kai
United States
Meu
Brooks Australia, United States
Philippines (The Ataulfo (mango) and Manilita mango cultivars
Carabao
originated from the Philippine Mango variety. It can be traced
(Philippine
back in the Manila-Mexico galleon trade in the years 1600-
Mango)
1800's)
Carrie United States
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Chaunsa India, Sindh, Pakistan

Chok anan Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Thailand
Cogshall United States
Cushman United States
Dasheri India, Nepal, Pakistan,
Dot United States
Dudhiya India, Nepal, Grown in Digha, Patna, Bihar. Known for
Malda awesome taste and flavour with thin skin
Duncan United States
Earlygold United States
Edward United States
Eldon United States
Emerald United States
Fazli (mango) Bangladesh, India
Fajri Kalan Pakistan
Fairchild United States
Fascell United States
Florigon United States
Ford United States
Gary United States
Gir Kesar Gujarat (India)
Glenn Italy, United States
Gold Nugget United States
Golden
United States
Lippens
Graham United States
Green Willard Sri Lanka
Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Haden
Mexico, United States
Hatcher United States
Heidi South Africa
Himayat /
India
Imam Pasand
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Himsagar Bangladesh, India, Nepal

Ice Cream United States
Australia, Costa Rica, United States, Taiwan, Japan (Okinawa)
(In Japan this variety is marketed as Apple Mango, and in the
Irwin
case of imports from Japan one needs to take care not to
confuse it with the Apple Mango grown in the Philippines.)
China (Also known as the Jingu Ivory mango, or Ivory mango,
this long, thin mango is named for its resemblance to a young
elephant's tusk. It has thin skin, smooth skin. The flesh contains
Ivory very few fibres, and constitutes approximately 82 percent of the
fruit. It was first introduced into Yunnan, China from Thailand
in 1914. The actual tree that was the first to be imported still
grows, and during one year produced almost 500 kg of fruit.[10])
Jakarta United States
Jean Ellen United States
Ecuador, United States (A colourful, potato shaped mango with
a sweet-tart flavour and a tall growth habit. Very popular in the
Julie
Caribbean Sea, including Jamaica the British Virgin Islands,
the United States Virgin Islands, and Barbados.)
Kalepad Andhra Pradesh, India
Australia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy, South Africa, United
Keitt
States
Kensington
Australia, Italy, United States
Pride
Australia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Mexico,
Kent
South Africa, United States
Kohu Amba Sri Lanka
Lakshmanbhog India
Lancetilla Honduras, United States
Langra India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
Lippens United States
Haiti Large kidney shaped mango that ripens to a golden yellow
Madame
colour with piquant flesh Commonly exported to the United
Francis
States in spring; often a feature of NYC fruit stands.
Mallika India, Nepal, United States
Malwana
Sri Lanka
(mango)
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Manilita United States

Punjab, India (Large mango grows in clusters, seedling of
Manohar Chaunsa. Exceptional complex flavor good sweetness. Very
vigorous)
Hawaii, United States (Teardrop shaped with a narrow point.
Momi K[11]
Ripens to a reddish orange blush. Flesh has creamy consistency)
Muhammad
Pakistan
Wala
Mulgoba India, United States
Neelam India, Pakistan
Osteen Italy, Spain, United States
Palmer Australia, Brazil, United States
Parvin United States
Karnataka, India (An extremely popular variety in South India,
a fully ripe Raspuri mango harvested at the right time and
ripened naturally can beat them all, including the Alphonso, in
Raspuri
taste as well as amount of juice per mango. Many people
especially Kannadigas do not even ask for any another variety
except Raspuri in Bengaluru.)
Red Willard Sri Lanka
Rosigold United States
Ruby United States
Saigon United States
Sindhri Sindh Pakistan
Saharni Pakistan
Sammar
Pakistan, India
Bahisht
Sensation South Africa, United States
Shan-e-Khuda Pakistan
Mirpur Khas district, Sindhprovince of Pakistan (Sindhi Mango
Sindhri cultivated in Sindhri town Mirpur Khas district, Sindh province
of Pakistan)
Sophie Fry United States
Southern
United States
Blush
Spirit of '76 United States
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Springfels United States

Sunset United States
Brazil, Costa
Tommy Atkins Rica,Ecuador, Guatemala,Honduras, Israel, Italy,Mexico, South
Africa,United States, Venezuela
Torbert United States
Totapuri India
Valencia Pride South Africa, United States
Van Dyke Italy, United States
Vellai
Sri Lanka
Kolomban
Young United States
Zill South Africa, United States
Source: www.wikipeidia.org

Agricultural Marketing in Tamilnadu

Introduction

The Vision of the Department of Agricultural Marketing & Agri Business

is to ensure fair price to the farming community who are left behind in the

competitive marketing scenario and the mission of achieving this is by

enforcing the existing act and rules most effectively and also by devising,

implementing new technologies aimed at reducing pre and post harvest losses

through appropriate methods and encourage value addition. Green Revolution

initiatives achieved self-sufficiency by increasing food grains production.

Simultaneously, several initiatives have been taken to promote agricultural

marketing in the state. Agricultural Marketing infrastructure plays a pivotal

role in fostering and sustaining the tempo of rural economic development.

Marketing is as critical to better performance in agriculture as farming itself.

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Agri Business is a process, which starts with a decision to produce a

saleable farm commodity and it involves all the aspects relating to pre and post-

harvest operations including grading, value addition, packaging, processing and

transportation. These operations add value to farm produce. The Department of

Agricultural Marketing, which is functioning since 1977, with the main

objective of Regulation of Agricultural Marketing, was renamed in the year

2001 as Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri. Business in order to

focus on other activities like Agri Export, Post Harvest Management, Food

Processing, etc.

Restructure

One Deputy Director of Agriculture (Agri Business) for each district,

one Agricultural Officer for every two blocks, one Assistant Agricultural

Officer for one block have been posted as per restructuring to regulate Agri

Business and encourage entrepreneurs. In 103 Uzhavar Sandhais, 51 Agricultural

Officers and 52 Deputy Agricultural Officers are posted. After restructuring

239 original posts have been enhanced to 906 posts in Agricultural Marketing

and Agri Business Department.

The Main Activities

1. Establishment and maintenance of Uzhavar Sandhaigal for the benefit of

farmers as well as consumers.

2. To create marketing opportunities for small and marginal farmers in

cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers by formation of groups which

includes production, storing and export.

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3. Establishment and maintenance of regulated markets in order to facilitate

buying and selling of agricultural produce for the benefit of the farming

community.

4. Grading of agricultural produce in the regulated markets and at farm

holdings to help the producers to get remunerative price for their produce.

5. To create awareness among the farmers about the benefits of grading,

marketing, value addition and processing their produce through regulated

markets by taking up training, publicity and propaganda.

6. To set up Agriculture Export Zones for promoting export of agricultural

produce by increasing the area under exportable crops, providing necessary

post harvest management and other infrastructure required and information

on prices prevailing at international markets as an integrated approach

through computers.

7. To take up Agmark grading of agricultural, animal husbandry and forestry

products for the benefit of the consumers.

8. To set up modern cold storage facilities to enable the farmers to store and

sell their produce at favourable price and to help consumers to get quality

food products.

9. Food Processing Industries are promoted to minimise wastage of agricultural

products, to increase employment opportunities and to enhance foreign

exchange.
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MARKET COMMITTEES

At present 21 Market committees are functioning in Tamil Nadu at

district Level.

1. Regulated Markets

There are 277 Regulated Markets, 15 Check Posts, 108 Rural Godowns

and 108 grading centres functioning under the Market Committees, Competitive

and remunerative prices are ensured for the produce sold by the farmers

through closed tender system in the Regulated Markets. Free Grading facilities

for agricultural commodities and issuing pledge loan during distress sale are

also available in the Regulated Markets. The farmers of states of Maharashtra,

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, sell their produce only through regulated

markets as compulsory marketing is in force. 1 to 2% of the value of the

produce is collected as market fees from the traders who procure the produce

from the farmers. The procurement method is simplified in Tamilnadu so as to

benefit the farmer. 1% of the value of the produce is collected as market fee

from traders. Action is being taken for the construction of own building for

Nilgiris Market Committee and 4 regulated markets at Ooty, Kothagiri, Coonur

and Gudalur during this year at a cost of Rs.3.25 crores. Necessary steps will

be taken to acquire land for this purpose through District Collector, Nilgiris.

2. Services Rendered in the Regulated Markets

Regulated Markets provides facilities such as correct weighment by

using electronic weigh bridges and weighing balances, godown facilities, bank
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facility, immediate payment, daily price information, rest sheds, drinking water

facility, cattle sheds, free medical aid to farmers, input shops, phone and fax

facilities etc. Under “AGMARKNET” centrally sponsored scheme 93 regulated

markets have been provided with computer and Internet connectivity for

effective price dissemination among farmers through AGMARKNET website.

The information on commodity prices prevailing in various markets is made

available; the farmers would be able to get better price of their produce by

moving their produce to the market which pays higher. During the year 2007-08,

100 Regulated markets were computerized through AGMARKNET. The

Market Committee-wise infrastructure facilities provided in the Regulated.

3. Notification of produce

So far, 42 Agricultural Commodities like cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds,

cotton, turmeric, etc. have been notified. Necessary action is being taken for

Uniform notification of agricultural commodities throughout the state during

this financial year.

4. Pledge Loan Facilities to Farmers

In order to avoid distress sales by the small and marginal farmers in the

peak season, Regulated Markets are issuing pledge loan to farmers. Under this

scheme, the farmers can store their agricultural produce in the godowns of

Regulated Markets for a maximum period of 6 months and take pledge loan of

75% of the total value of the produce upto a maximum of Rs.1,00,000.

Likewise Pledge Loan facilities are extended to traders also with the rate of
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interest specified from time to time. Interest at the rate 9% for traders is

charged for pledge loan facilities. During the previous financial year interest

rates were reduced from 8% to 5% for the benefit of farmers.

5. Tamil Nadu Farmers Development and Welfare Scheme

Under this scheme, the farmers / tenants who sell one metric tone of

paddy (or) equivalent value of their agricultural produce through Regulated

Markets every year will be enrolled under this scheme and are eligible for a

grant of a lumpsum amount up to Rs.1,00,000, in case of death/ permanent

disability occurring due to accident / death due to snake bite. In case the

eligible farmer / tenant looses both the hands or either the legs or both the eyes

due to accident, is eligible for a grant of Rs.75,000/-. In case of losing one hand

or one leg or one eye or hip disability due to accident the farmer / tenant is

eligible for a grant of Rs.50,000/-. The farmers need not pay any premium for

this fund. The Market Committee concerned and the Tamil Nadu State

Agricultural Marketing Board will bear the premium amount of Rs.10 per

individual per year equally.

6. Agmark Grading

Agmark grading is undertaken to protect the consumers from the ill

effects of consuming adulterated food commodities and to ensure quality food

products. 30 Agmark grading laboratories and 1 Principal Agmark Grading

Laboratory are engaged in grading the notified food products like vegetable

oils, ghee, butter, honey, wheatflour, besanflour, ground spices, sago, rice,
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pulses, ragi, jaggery, turmeric, potato etc. During the previous financial year,

sophisticated equipments has been purchased for Rs.25.46 lakhs under Part-II

Scheme for State Agmark grading Labs and Agricultural Marketing Centres in

order to benefit the packers and consumers.

7. Construction of Drying Yards in the Villages

Out of 10% of Agricultural commodity wastage, 6% loss is due to not

adhering proper post harvest practices. In order to minimise the post harvest

losses in grains, the department has taken up construction of drying yards at

village level. From the year 1997 under this scheme, 1228 drying yards have

been constructed at a total cost of Rs.23.20 crores. During the year 2007-08

construction of 100 Drying Yards at a cost of Rs.2.50 crores is under progress.

This scheme shall continue during 2008-09.

Uzhavar Sandhaigal

103 uzhavar Sandhais are functioning in the state in Municipality and

Town Panchayat areas for direct selling of fruits and vegetables by farmers to

consumers without any hindrance of middlemen. The main object of Uzhavar

Sandhai are to ensure farmers to get a better price for their produce and to

enable the consumers to get fresh fruits and vegetables at a lesser price than the

retail market price. During the year 2007-08, action is being taken to establish

50 more Uzhavar Sandhais at a cost of Rs.11.25 crores. Hasthampatti Uzhavar

Sandhai in Salem district has been inaugurated on 14.01.2008. As on date 104

Uzhavar Sandhais are functioning .Action is being taken to establish the

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remaining 49 Uzhavar Sandhais. Cold storage rooms of 2.0 M.T. capacities are

to be installed in 22 top performing Uzhavar Sandhais at a cost of Rs.133.10

lakhs.

Various measures are taken by this Department to increase the arrivals

in Uzhavar Sandhai, increase the number of farmers and for development of

Uzhavar Sandhai. Everyday, on an average, 1053 MT of fruits and vegetable

worth Rs.108 lakhs are sold benefiting 7800 farmers and 1,97,000 consumers

per day.

Services to be rendered in the Uzhavar Sandhaigal

Additional facilities like electronic weighing scale, Plastic trays, trolleys,

wastage bins will be provided for the farmers in the Uzhavar Sandhaigal.

Computers for effective communication, new hybrid seeds, seedlings, organic

farming methodology, vermicomposting demonstration and post harvest

management training to farmers will also be offered to those farmers visiting

Uzhavar Sandhai. 25 Uzhavar Sandhais have been supplied with computers.

ESTABLISHMENT OF MARKET COMPLEX

1. Establishment of Market Complex for Mango and Onion

For the interest of the small and marginal farmers action is being taken

to establish market complex with cold storage facility at Pongalur in Coimbatore

District for Onion and at Krishnagiri in Krishnagiri District for Mango at a

project cost of Rs.2 crores each (Total Rs.4 crores). Entrepreneurs have

submitted their Expression of Interest and Detailed Project Report. The

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Projects were evaluated by the evaluation committee and the evaluation report

and joint venture agreement with M/S Premium Farm Fresh Produces Limited,

New Delhi as a equity partner with Tamilnadu State Agricultural Marketing

Board is under consideration.

2. Establishment of Market Complex for Grapes at Odaipatti, Theni District

Cold storage unit at Odaipatti in Theni District will be established at a

cost of Rs.3.75 crores for grapes in order to facilitate grading, packing and

export of grapes, so as to benefit the grape growers. The evaluation proposal

submitted by M/s. Peninsula Agro Tech India Ltd. of Theni District as a equity

partner with Tamilnadu Agricultural Marketing Board is under consideration.

3. Establishment of Terminal Markets

As per the guidelines of the central Government, three Terminal

Markets with all value addition facilities would be established near metro areas

of Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore for processing, storage and marketing of

perishables like fruits and vegetables at a total cost of Rs.200 crores.

Consultants have been selected to implement the project. M/s. Darasha and

company private ltd Mumbai, selected as a consultancy agency for implementing

the Terminal Market scheme in Tamil Nadu. An Agreement was executed with

the consultancy firm on 10.12.07 by Tamilnadu State Agricultural Marketing

Board, Chennai to prepare RFQ, RFP and DPR. Global Tender has been

floated.
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Agricultural Production and Marketing Information Centre

Market intelligence plays a vital role in marketing agricultural produce.

If the information on commodity prices prevailing in various markets is made

available, the farmers would be able to get better price to their produce by

moving their produce to the market which pays higher. Taking this aspect into

consideration, Agricultural Production and Marketing Information Centre has

been established in 14 Regulated Markets like Dindugal, Alangudi, Madurai,

Thirumangalam, Theni, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar,

Rajapalayam, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Vadaseri and Monday Market at a cost of

Rs.45.00 lakhs. These centres were provided with computer and accessories

with internet facility and electronic display boards. Agricultural Produce

arrival, price details and post harvest management practices in the regulated

markets are flashed in the Electronic display boards, for the benefit of farmers.

AGRI EXPORT ZONES

To promote Agri Horticultural Produce Exports from Tamil Nadu, four

Agri Export Zones for specific commodities have been established as detailed

below.

1. Agri Export Zone for Cut Flowers at Hosur comprising of Dharmapuri

and Krishnagiri Districts

In Tamil Nadu, Agri Export Zone for cut flowers has been approved and

Memorandum of Understanding was signed with APEDA. In 198.73 acres of

land, “TANFLORA”, a joint venture company of TIDCO and private promoter

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established infrastructural facilities like Central Packing House comprising of

sorting, grading, packaging, cold storage and marketing facilities at Hosur at a

cost of Rs.24.85 crores. During the year 2007-08, 120 lakhs of cut flowers

worth Rs.12 Crores have been exported to Europe, Middle and Far East Asian

countries, Australia and Japan.

2. Agri Export Zone for flowers in Nilgiris District

An Agri Export Zone for flowers at Ooty covering Nilgiris district is

being established with the participation by private promoter at a project cost of

Rs.15.89 crores. Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with APEDA.

Infrastructure facilitie s like auction centre, mother plant nursery, pre-cooling,

cold storage, reefer vans, Hi-tech training centre, common marketing facility,

etc., are to be provided in the zone. The department of Horticulture &

Plantation Crops is conducting Hi-tech floriculture training and providing

planting materials at 50% subsidized cost and subsidy for green houses, shade

nets to flower growers. An information centre for providing technical consultancy

and other horticultural information to the growers established at Ooty. On

6.2.2007, Electronic Flower Auction centre at a cost of Rs.11 lakhs has been

opened in Nilgiris and it is utilised by the farmers to sell their flowers.

3. Agri Export Zone for Mangoes in Theni District

An Agri Export Zone exclusively for mango has been established in

Theni and five other districts namely Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli,

Dindigul and Kaniyakumari with private sector participation at a project cost of

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Rs.24.60 crores. Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with APEDA.

The private promoter M/s. Maagrita Exports Limited has established infrastructure

facilities like state of the art Pack House, collection centre, processing units,

grading halls, hot-water treatment plant, pulping centre, dehydration unit,

canning unit, etc. in Nilakkottai Food Park.

4. Agri Export Zone for Cashew in Cuddalore District

Agri Export Zone for cashew at a project cost of Rs.17 crores at Cuddalore

district has been approved. Memorandum of Understanding has been singed

with APEDA. M/s. Sattva Agro Export Pvt. Ltd., has been selected as the

anchor promoter for cashew Agri Export Zone through private promoter

participation. The Detailed Project Report for the construction of common

infrastructure facilities was prepared by M/S Sattva Exports and handed over to

TIDCO. TIDCO has approved to release an amount of Rs.47.25 lakhs as State

equity to M/s. Sattva Agro Export Pvt. Ltd. The Agri Export Zone work

commenced in the year 2006-07 and the construction of infrastructure facilities

and modernised nurseries is under progress. A survey has been conducted by

the Firm for the procurement of cashew from 120 farmers through contract

farming.

Establishment of Cold Chain

In Tamil Nadu 100 lakh M.T. of fruits & vegetables, 75 lakh M.T. of

food grains, 3 lakh M.T. of spices and condiments, 5 lakh M.T. of plantation

crops are produced. The production of these produces by adopting advanced

 138

technologies likely to increase by 30% in the next 5 years. Out of the total

production 8-10% of food grains, 30-35% of fruits and vegetables are wasted

due to nonavailability of proper storage/cold storage facility. Due to this

farmers get 15-25% less price for their produce. To minimize post harvest

losses of agricultural produce, especially fruits and vegetables, cereals, spices

and plantation crops, it is proposed to set up Cold Chain through public-private

participation utilising NABARD fund and NHB subsidy in 15 places. These

cold chains will be established taking into consideration the proximity of the

vegetable producing area, trading area, public places like community centres,

agricultural extension centres etc.

Food Processing Industries

Processing of food eliminates wastage of agricultural produce to a

greater extent. Food processing is gaining momentum as food-processing

industries ensure steady and better price to the farming community as well as

availability of the commodities in processed form to the consumer throughout

the year. By cultivation of good quality processable agricultural produce the

farmers stand to gain better returns and employment opportunity. The Agricultural

Marketing and Agri Business department acts as a Nodal agency for Ministry

of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. Food Park at Dindigul

District, Nilakkottai Industrial Estate is being set up at a total cost of Rs.13.00

crores. In Total, from Tamilnadu 441 proposals worth Rs.555.93 crores to

establish food processing related projects have been forwarded to the Ministry
 139

of Food Processing Industries, Government of India with recommendations for

grant of Rs.97.51 Crores. So far an amount of Rs.42.95 Crores grant has been

released for 197 projects.

Tamil Nadu Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium (TNSFAC)

The main objective of TNSFAC is to link the small farmers to technologies

as well as to market in association with private, corporate, co-operative sectors,

by providing both forward and backward linkages. The venture capital assistance

of Rs.563.77 lakhs for 20 projects with a project cost of Rs.4909.51 lakhs has

been sanctioned by Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium.

Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board

The important functions of the Board are as follows:

1. Publicity and Propaganda

Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board is carrying out publicity

and propaganda work highlighting the advantages of selling agricultural produce

through Regulated Markets through publicity wing at Chennai, Madurai,

Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli.

2. Training to Farmers and Staff

The training centre of Tamilnadu State Agricultural Marketing Board

Chennai is functioning at Salem in an extent of 2.25 acres of land. This

Training Centre caters to the training needs of the Market Committee

employees and the farmers. Three different training programmes, viz; Graders
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Training, Market Committee Employees Refresher Training and Personal

Contact Programme are conducted by this Training Centre. The graders

training is conducted for the employees of the market committee for 30 days

duration in 3 batches / year, comprising of 60 employees. The refresher training

of 28 days duration is conducted for the Staff working in market committees @

1 batch/year comprising of 20 persons. The Personal contact programme of 3

days duration is conducted for the farmers in 5 batches (20 farmers / batch) for

100 farmers. During this year 10,010 farmers are to be trained in the post

harvest technologies, grading, food processing etc. at a cost of Rs.52.50 lakhs.

So far 3220 farmers have been trained and this will be continued. During the

year 2008-09 10,000 farmers are to be trained in the post harvest technologies,

grading, food processing etc. at a cost of Rs.52.50 lakhs.

3. Establishing Marketing Endowment Chair at Tamil Nadu Agricultural

University

Tamil Nadu State Marketing Board has created an Endowment Chair at

the Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, TNAU, Coimbatore,

with a corpus fund of Rs.50.00 lakhs. 29 Various research studies and 19

training programmes have been conducted for the Department Officers and

farmers, utilizing the interest accrued from corpus fund deposit.

4. Construction Works

The Engineering wing of the department execute civil works such as

construction of office buildings, rural godowns, auction platform, shopping

 141

complex, agricultural input shops, payment counters, rest sheds, water supply,

toilet facilities, internal roads, godowns, compound wall, etc. in the Regulated

Markets.

5. Market Development Fund

The Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board derives its fund

resource from the Market Committees. The Market Committees contribute 15%

of their receipts to the Board. Fifty percent of this amount is set apart as Market

Development Fund, from which expenditure towards market developmental

activities including training / publicity and propaganda are met.

6. Domestic and Export Market Intelligence and Guidance Cell at Tamil

Nadu Agricultural University

Agricultural Produce Domestic and Export Intelligence Guidance Cell

has been established in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at a cost of

Rs.44.00 lakhs from the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board. The

Cell would collect details on prices of major commodities at domestic and

international markets, analyse and forecast future domestic and export prices.

The Cell transmits the forecast prices prevailing in other states and in the

forthcoming months to the regulated markets and farmers. The Cell by

providing this information helps the farmers to plan the cropping pattern and

the right time and right market to sell their produce. This cell has been

networked with the Agricultural Production and Marketing Information Centres

established in regulated markets.

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7. Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water Bodies Restoration

Management (IAMWARM)

IAMWARM Project is a World Bank assisted project. This project is

being implemented in the selected 63 sub basins over a period of 6 years (2007-13).

In the first year (2007-08), this project have been implemented in the 9 sub

basins at a cost of Rs.8.83 Crores. The projected cost for 63 sub basins is

Rs.24.84 Crores. During the year 2008-09 the project will be implemented in

another 16 basins at a cost of Rs.209.5 lakhs. Under this project, the following

components like Drying yard, Storage shed, Collection Centre, Pack House,

Agri Business Centre, Goods Auto, Mini Lorry, Moisture Meter, Weighing

Scale, Dunnages and Tarpaulin will be provided to benefit the water users

Association. Among the 250 groups, 210 groups for agricultural commodity

and the remaining 40 groups for horticulture commodity were formed. Under

this scheme,16 interface workshops, 15 outside the state exposure visit, 15

inside the state exposure visit, 14 post harvest technology training were also

completed. In addition to that, 7 memorandum of understanding between

farmers and entrepreneurs were signed.

Conclusion

In the above chapter the researcher has discussed the Health benefits of

Mango, benefits of mango, selection and storage of cultivated mangoes,

characteristics of mangoes, mango cultivation in India and discussed about the

cultivators. And also the researcher has pointed out the agricultural marketing

practices followed in Tamilnadu.