Siliguri: Malda, famous for its mango, is expecting a bumper production of 2,50,000 tonne this year. Limited use of chemical fertiliser, good weather and care by growers have brightened the prospect of mango production which might exceed last year's production of 1,70,000 tonne, Malda Mango development officer, Samarendranath Khara told reporters.

The three major varieties laxman bhog, himsagar and fazli have also received geographical indentification which was as good as a patent and would help export, Khara said. He said that laxman bhog was most popular as it was fiberless, small stoned and beautiful in colour.

This particular variety was not too sweet like himsagar and may head for Europe this season, he said. Other varieties grown in the district were langra, gopal bhog and guti, on 25,900 hectare, he said. Growers, however, faced a major as mangoes perished quickly in case of problems in transport.

To overcome this four persons in collaboration with Union Phosphate has launched a unit at Kotwali where growers could get their fruits wax coated for Rupee one a kilo, Khara said. The Rs 5 crore project with Italian expertise was being considered for subsidy by the Mango Development Board.

Was coating would add at least one week s life to mangoes between plucking and consumption, Khara added.
Source : PTI