R ARIVANANTHAM
GANDHINAGAR, JULY 22
Gujarat exported 689.5 metric tonnes of mangoes in 2023-24, according to data from the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC). From 2019-20 to 2023-24, the state has exported over 2,500 metric tonnes of mangoes.
Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat is not just leading in cultivating traditional crops but also stands out in horticultural production. The state has earned national acclaim for its mango production, especially for Kesar mangoes.
- Gujarat exported over 2,500 metric tons of mangoes in the past five years
- Under the guidance of Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, around 210 metric tonnes of irradiated kesar mangoes exported from Bavla, Ahmedabad irradiation facility
- Mango cultivation covers 1,77,514 hectares in Gujarat
- State Horticulture Department disburses ₹15.29 crore asfinancial aid to mango farmers in 2023-24
- Under the guidance of Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, more than 2 lakh kg of Kesar mangoes were irradiated and exported last year
In Gujarat, a total of 4,49,389 hectares is dedicated to horticultural- fruit and flower crops- with 1,77,514 hectares specifically dedicated for mango cultivation. Mangoes grow primarily in the Valsad, Navsari, Gir-Somnath, Kachchh, and Surat districts. The Kesar mango from Talala Gir is praised globally for its superb quality and has been honored with the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. Beyond Gir, Kesar mangoes are also produced in Kutch. Additionally, Gujarat’s mango production includes other special varieties such as Hafus (Alphonso), Rajapuri, Totapuri, and Sonpari.
Irradiation and Export of 210 MTof Kesar Mangoes from Gamma Irradiation Plant in Bavla
This year, the Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility in Bavla, Ahmedabad, has irradiated and exported 210 metric tonnes of Kesar mangoes. This facility is the first USDA-APHIS-certified irradiation unit in Gujarat and the fourth in India. Under the guidance of Gujarat Agriculture Minister Shri Raghavji Patel, more than 2 lakh kg of Kesar mangoes were irradiated and exported last year.
Before this unit was setup in Bavla, Ahmedabad, mango farmers in Gujarat had to travel to Mumbai for irradiation and then export the mangoes, which led to wastage and higher transportation costs. Now, with the new irradiation plant in Bavla, farmers are able to process their mangoes locally, reducing costs and earning the best prices for their produce.
Indo-Israel Work Plan to Boost Mango Production
Under the Indo-Israel Work Plan, farmers receive technical guidance and training in mango cultivation at the Center of Excellence for Mango in Talala, Gir Somnath district. The program also offers training in intensive farming techniques and innovative practices to enhance production per unit area. So far, 2,601 farmers have been trained, and 9,382 grafts have been cultivated and sold.
Gujarat Horticulture Department Allocates ₹15.29 Crore in Financial Assistance to Farmers to Boost Mango Production
The Horticulture Department is implementing a scheme to revamp old mango orchards and farms with low production capacity. As a result, these renovated mango orchards are now producing significantly better yields.
In addition, the department also provides assistance through various schemes, including assistance for intensive fruit planting, support for close-spacing fruit planting, and aid for fruit crops grown with standard spacing, excluding high-cost cultivation crops. Financial aid covers up to 90% of quality planting materials for horticultural crops, with special assistance available for fruit crop plantations. So far, around ₹15.29 crore has been allocated as financial assistance to mango farmers for planting.
