Bagalakote: All I could see was the fruit king mango’s dominance in front of me, and while I turned around I saw the splendour of Malnad jackfruit. The forgotten wild fruits are back again. Whichever fruit you see is guaranteed to make you mouth water.
The two-day mango-jackfruit and wild fruits mela jointly organised by University of Horticultural Sciences (UHS), Horticulture Department, Zilla Panchayat and Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Karnataka State Mango Board at the university premises here attracted a lot of attention. Students from schools and colleges, farmers and the public visited the mela and added charm to the occasion.
Totapuri, Neelam, Mallika, Amrapali, Khadar, Manakura Goa, Kesar, Nekkare, Langa, Dashehari, Àjali, Omlet Mango, Appe Midi, Acaesara, Alpinso, Arkapeçenik, Ratna, Benishan and such other varieties of mango attracted the attention of people who flocked the mela.
Wild fruits which can only seen in the forests and rich in proteins are rarely found nowadays. At the Mela in such a difficult time, there were fruits such as Phinethetic Bitter, Avacado, Amla, Star-fruit, Cherry, Jamun, Milk-fruit, Water-apple.
Black Gold, Dang Rasimi, Golden Nugget, Honey Gold, Kun Wi Chan, Lemon Gold, and Siddu-jack are the variety of jackfruit which are seen in fruit mela. Around 170 varieties of mangoes, 45 varieties of jackfruit and more than 35 wild fruits are displayed at the mango-jackfruit-wild fruits mela. The sale took place in a grand manner. It was common to see scientists, department officials, mango board representatives explaining comprehensive information on the health benefits of consuming these fruits, how the farmers grow these fruits in their farm, and the benefits of it.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka farmer from Simikeri Shankrappa Bisanal said, “There is a great benefit from the mangoes, jackfruits, and wild-fruits on display here. Many varieties of fruits are not found today. The impact of natural disasters is also difficult to grow. It is not easy to sow and grow the fruits of Malnad region here. The Government through the Horticulture Department and UHS should give proper guidance to grow these fruits. It would be convenient if the Mela is organized at the end of March and April. The public should also taste such fruits instead of junk foods and maintain health. Farmers will also get a good price.”
