Aurangabad, Dec 21:
The president of state''s Maha Keshar Amba Bagayatdar Sangh, Sushil Baldawa said that the Kesar mango cultivating farmers had joined their hands to brand the fruit as Maha Kesar after successful branding of Happus (Alphonso).
Baldawa was addressing the newsmen at a press conference organised today in the office of Mahanand Dairy Dudh Sangh. The board of directors shared their targets and objectives. Kesar mango arrived in Marathwada region from Gujarat. In a short period, it had created dominance in the international market and is giving good returns against the cultivation.
The vice president Dr Bhagwanrao Kapse, secretary Pandit Lonare, member (and vice president of Dudh Sangh) Nandlal Kale, treasurer Shivajirao Ugale, Ashok Suryawanshi, Rasul Shaikh, Vikas Kapse and others were also present on occasion. There are more than 400 members from all Marathwada, Nasik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Sangli and other regions in the state. The membership registration drive is underway. Baldawa clarified, " there is no representation in the executive body from Konkan region."
Dr Kapse said, " The cultivation of Kesar mango is on 15,000 hectares of land in the region. The size of the fruit is small. Hence, with the help of technology, the aim is to increase its weight up till 250 gms and market it in the country or export by branding it as Maha Kesar. A chain of production, including cultivators, sellers and exporters, will be developed. The organisation will provide valuable inputs on mango cultivation and preservation of fruit etc. under one roof. We will also impart scientific guidance to the mango-cultivators so that they could cultivate the fruit with quality and get good quantity, its storage and its management etc."
The thought of branding Kesar mango came during nine webinars and social media groups discussions conducted in the lockdown period. We would also conduct several programmes, including Mango festivals, to promote the fruit, said Dr Kapse.