THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is as if Ananthapuri has been waiting for the National Mango Fest. Such is the response to the fair currently on at Kanakakkunnu that the organisers have no words to express their joy.According to officials with the State Horticulture Mission (SHM)-Kerala, which is giving technical support to the fair organised by the Mango Growers’ Association and S V Events, brisk sales have been reported since the opening day of the fair, June 16. During the first two days, nearly 20 tonnes of mangoes were sold, bringing in nearly Rs 6 lakh. “On June 18, nearly 11,800 kg of mangoes were sold. Being a Saturday, the response was massive. At an average price of Rs 50 per kg, the total collection is really huge. And today, it is bound to go up,” said Ajai Chandra, Project Officer of SHM-Kerala, to City Express on Sunday standing in the crowded pavilion. Of the states who are participating in the fair, Karnataka farmers alone sold 5,000 kg on Saturday. Tamil Nadu came second with 2,000 kg. Among the local varieties, nearly 1,500 kg of Kottukkonam mango from Kattakkada was sold on Saturday alone. The Muthalamada mango growers could sell 500 kg on the same day. The sale of other varieties, when taken together, came to nearly 2,000 kg. It was in 2008 that the Mission organised the first such mango fair, at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium. “It was a bigger affair. But that time, so much sale was not reported. Also, we had met the entire expenditure of the fair then. This time, we could bring in the Mango Growers’ Association to arrange the entire programme. We are providing all technical support. We never expected such a massive response,” said Dr K Prathapan, Director of SHM-Kerala. “We had organised the National Jackfruit Fest, a three-day event, at the same venue a few weeks back. Since many said that three days was too short a period, we made the Mango Fest a 11-day affair. Now, our fear is whether the stocks would last till the end of the fair,” Prathapan added. For, many varieties are being sold out at a fast pace. Especially, varieties like Mallika from Bangalore, Sakkarakatty from Krishnagiri etc. However, some farmers are trying to bring in more mangoes. “We never expected such a huge response. Stocks of Mallika, the most sought-after variety, are exhausted. We had brought two tonnes of it. Anyway, new stocks are arriving tonight,” said a farmer from Karnataka. Besides mangoes, mango products like pickles are also enjoying a good sale at the fair. Interestingly, the Banana Growers’ Association stall at the fair too has been getting good response owing to the fact that the bananas are sold at reasonable rates. Entry to the fest is restricted by a pass costing Rs 10. “We had introduced the pass to control the crowd. Now, we feel even if the price was Rs 50, people would have come in large numbers,” an official with the Horticulture Mission said. The fair will end on June 26.
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