In a significant win for mango growers, especially in North Karnataka’s Mumbai-Karnataka region, the state government has approved the establishment of a Mango Development Board in Dharwad taluk. Known for producing international-quality Alphonso mangoes, this decision fulfills a long-pending demand of the region’s farmers.
With over 14,000 hectares dedicated to mango cultivation in Dharwad and 18,000 hectares in Belagavi, Dharwad holds a distinct edge in growing the prized Alphonso variety. Annually, the region produces over one lakh metric tonnes of these mangoes, which are transported to metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, and even exported to Gulf and European countries.
For years, farmers struggled due to middlemen exploiting them by leasing trees at low rates during the flowering stage. The new Board aims to provide direct marketing facilities, ensuring better returns for growers and curbing the influence of intermediaries.
The Mango Development Board will focus on research and development of mango varieties, training farmers, and facilitating exports. It will also link consumers directly with growers, enabling scientific pricing of mangoes.
Under the “One District, One Product” initiative, Dharwad has been chosen as a mango hub, receiving ₹7.5 crore under the National Horticulture Mission. The Board’s head office will be established in Kumbapur, Dharwad, with the foundation stone laying ceremony planned soon.
Mango growers and local leaders, including Dharwad Rural MLA Vinay Kulkarni, have welcomed this move as a transformative step for the region’s agriculture economy.
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