All India mango expo begins at Krishnagiri

KRISHNAGIRI: The 22nd All India Mango Exhibition at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School here was inaugurated on Saturday evening. State higher education minister P Palaniappan and agriculture minister 'Agri' S S Krishnamoorthy were the chief guests and inaugurated the exhibition. Addressing in the meeting, Minister Palaniappan said that mango was being cultivated in more than 40,000 hectares and producing 3.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes across the district.
"Mango cultivation is the main farming activity in the region including Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts and it helps the economic development of the districts as well," he said. Under the national horticulture mission, the government is extending subsidy to the new and existing farmers under various schemes. He also said that the purpose of organising the mango exhibition is to popularise various varieties of mangoes and other crops among farmers.s
"The various efforts taken by the state government, including the exhibition, will boost mango production in the state. We are trying to expand the area under cultivation. We have received funds from both the central and the state governments of which 20% will be utilised for mango cultivation," said T P Rajesh, Krishnagiri district collector.
More than 40 varieties of mangoes were displayed at some 200 odd stalls at the exhibition.
"We have come here to see such wide variety of mangoes. This exhibition is being organised for 21 years and attract a large number of people," said B Sreedharan, a visitor. Mango eating competition and quiz will also be organised where various of all age groups can participate. The exhibition also provide a platform for orchard owners to reach out to prospective buyers.
A competition to judge the best mango produce will be held , said Rajesh. "Mango farmers and pulp producers from the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra will display their produce and prizes would be awarded to the first three selected in each category," he said.
Horticultural farms, National Horticulture Board, Agriculture Processed Foods and Export Development Authority, Safal National Exchange and research stations from the country are expected to display their produce.