Foreign diplomats to join 'mango party'

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The sweetness and aroma of the dussehri mango has transcended boundaries and found a fan following among foreign diplomats.

Ambassadors and High Commissioners of about a dozen countries are arriving in the nondescript town of Malihabad, about 30 km from Lucknow, for a 'mango party' on June 29.

The programme 'Ek Shaam Malihabadi Dussehri Ke Naam' (An evening dedicated to Malihabad's Dussehri) is being hosted by the Mango Grower Association of India.

The event is aimed at popularising dussehri and seeking government support for the mango growers and exporters.

The diplomats would be presented with dussehri saplings and urged to promote their cultivation in their countries. Some of the diplomats would represent Algeria, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Brunei, Kazakistan, Niger, etc.

A similar programme was organised last year, attended by several diplomats.

The Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing, Tariq Anwar, is also set to come, Association President Insram Ali said here today.

Situated on Lucknow-Hardoi state highway number 25, Malihabad is world famous for its mango plantations, especially dussehri, which was granted Geographical Indication (GI) registration in 2009.

The mango belts in Uttar Pradesh, include Lucknow (Lucknow, Malihabad, Bakshi-ka-Talaab), Saharanpur and Sambhal-Amroha-Muzaffarnagar districts.

Lucknow belt spread over 25,000 hectares, which produces world famous Dussehri mango, alone comprises about 30 of the state's annual mango production. This year, the UP mango production, had significantly been lower compared to last year. During 2012, the state mango production was about 38 lakh tonnes, while this year the production is pegged at only 15 lakh tonnes.

"The mango growers and exporters need subsidy on air freight to make the mango plantation profitable," Ali added. At present, the subsidy of Rs 26/kg on export and branding purposes was grossly inadequate, he said.

Meanwhile, the Association would seek central support on mango-based food processing industries.