Known for its exotic mango varieties like Dushehri or Langda, the state is facing an all-time low production of the crop — expected to go up to 18 lakh metric tonnes (MT) against the last year’s production of 33 lakh MT.

Last year, the state had set up its first mango pack houses in Lucknow and Saharanpur. The units had exported 49 MT of mangoes to Gulf and Asian countries — including Japan for the first time.

This year, the Lucknow belt is expected to produce a mere 10,000 MT — compared to 29,000 MT last year.

To attract more buyers from Eupore, Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Marketing Board is focusing on aggressive marketing strategies. “The packaging will be made more attractive, with a see-through window to give a glimpse of the fruit,” said Board Director Rajesh Kumar.

The Board plans to convene a meet of exporters and producers after the Lok Sabha elections with an aim to invite foreign exporters.

The mango pack houses, now fitted with gas ripening chambers and vapour heat treatment plants — which control the temperature of mango skin and pulp to give it a long shelf life — will start functioning from May 25 this year. “Efforts are on to motivate exporters to take UP mangoes to European shores,” said Kumar.

So far, mango export in the state is restricted to Gulf and Asia as farmers do not follow international standards of Good Agricultural Practices. “Even if we start educating the mango growers, it will take at least 10 years to eliminate the residuals of chemical fertilisers from the soil to make the produce pass European standards,” said Kumar.

... contd.