Latest news with #Alphonso
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
At 3,624 MT, Mumbai airport sees 9% rise in mango exports in April-May
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has recorded a 9 per cent rise in mango exports in April and May, handling a total of 3,624 metric tonnes (MT) of shipments. Alphonso, Kesar, Chausa, Badami and Neelam were among the mango varieties shipped this year, an airport spokesperson said, adding that London was the leading international destination, followed by Toronto and New York. Last year, 3,318 MT of mangoes were exported during the same period. 'At CSMIA, we take immense pride in being the gateway for exporting India's renowned mangoes to the global markets. Our commitment is to excellence and to supporting exporters in taking India's finest mango produce to the world,' a CSMIA statement read. This year, the Mumbai airport's mango export operations were centred around the Agro Excellence Centre, a 2,000 sq m temperature-controlled facility in the air cargo complex. The facility has temperature control between 15°C and 25°C to reduce spoilage and help maintain fruit quality. Palletisation is also done to aid air circulation and lessen heat exposure, the CSMIA statement added. The airport also employed 'Turant', a mobile application, to deliver real-time tracking of shipments, allowing exporters and handlers to track movement through each step, from arrival at the cargo terminal to final loading onto aircraft. As per the statement, Customs clearance, security screening and pallet handover were sequentially undertaken to ensure that shipments stayed within the regulated temperature range until final uplift. 'The growth of mango exports via CSMIA aligns with India's overall objective of promoting agricultural exports and facilitating regional producers to access overseas markets. The infrastructure of the airport is capable of catering to perishable commodities and is utilised heavily during the mango season when international demand is highest,' the spokesperson added.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Romancing the Mango: Chef Sadaf Hussain's mango-centric dinner at Bazm-e-Aam celebrates India's beloved fruit
As monsoon clouds begin to hover over the capital, summer is slowly retreating. Despite the scorch of the past few weeks, there's one thing Delhiites still await with childlike anticipation: mangoes. From Alphonso and Banginapalli (Safeda) to blushing Raspuri, mangoes arrive across India like edible postcards of summer. But beyond fragrance and flavour, mango season tugs at childhood memories — of climbing trees and grandparents waiting with plates full of mango slices dipped in salt, chilli, and oil. To celebrate this nostalgia, Delhi-based Kashkol Collective's Bazm-e-Aam at IIC, offered an evening of poetry, dastangoi, music, and a mango feast curated by chef and author Sadaf Hussain. 'Everyone has a childhood memory with mango,' says Hussain. For him, summers meant endless mangoes at his grandparents' home in Sasaram, Bihar. He recalls eating mango mixed with rice and dal — a combo that reminded him of Thailand's mango sticky rice, 'but desi-style, though I didn't love it,' he laughs.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu mango farmers: DMK-AIADMK spat highlights need for fair price
The ongoing political spat between the DMK and the AIADMK over mango, the king of all fruits, brings to the fore the issues of ensuring fair price to farmers and providing value addition in the marketing of the crop. Complaining about the DMK regime's 'lack of response' to issues of mango growers, the principal Opposition party is to hold a demonstration in Natham of Dindigul district on Friday. On an average, the State grows mango on 1.46 lakh hectares with an annual production of around 9.5 lakh tonnes. There was a perceptible fall in production only during the COVID-19 pandemic year (2020-21). While the State's share in terms of area is around 6% of the national average, it contributes about 4% of national production. Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Theni and Tiruvallur are the major mango-growing districts in the State. According to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA – a body under the control of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries), Tamil Nadu is known for its varieties - Alphonso, Totapuri or Bangalora, Banganapalli and Neelum. The State government refers to other varieties, too, such as Imam Pasand, Rumani and Senthura. However, at the all-India level, Tamil Nadu is considered a major mango-growing State. Among the southern States that make it to the toppers' list are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, with Uttar Pradesh in the north leading the pack. Due to mismatch in demand and supply, farmers complain that the private sector offers them only ₹8 to ₹9 per kg, as against their demand of ₹20 per kg. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, in a statement issued on Wednesday, quoted a rate of ₹5 per kg. P.S. Masilamani, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated to the CPI, suggests that the State government follow the example of Andhra Pradesh in providing a subsidy of ₹4 per kg. K. Ramasamy, former Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, also supports the idea of the State government's intervention in procurement. As the State has enough cold storage facilities, the procured mangoes can be kept there, he says, adding that after carrying out value addition, the authorities can arrange for the sale of such products, including exports. 'If there is a huge glut, the government can even think of providing mango juice to schoolchildren once a week for a limited period,' the academician says. The government says it has been closely following the developments, and two rounds of talks were arranged by the Krishnagiri Collector between the farmers and representatives of the mango pulp industry, according to Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam. As the talks did not yield results, the Agricultural Production Commissioner-Agriculture Secretary on June 16 held a discussion with the industry. As a sequel to the meeting, the industry has started procuring the variety of Bangalora, used for juice, the Minister adds, expressing the hope that the procurement price would gradually increase, and it would go on till the second week of August. Though Mr. Panneerselvam's statement does not mention any rate, he assures the farmers that the government has been taking steps to ensure a profit for the growers. His colleague and Food Minister R. Sakkarapani, referring to the government's measures, questions the need for any agitation by the AIADMK. A veteran policymaker emphasises that the State government comes out with a strategy paper in respect of all perishable fruits and vegetables, detailing measures to be taken by the authorities to absorb the surplus, including plans for adequate processing facilities.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
DMK-AIADMK spat over mango highlights issue of fair price to farmers
The ongoing political spat between the DMK and the AIADMK over mango, the king of all fruits, brings to the fore the issues of ensuring fair price to farmers and providing value addition in the marketing of the crop. Complaining about the DMK regime's 'lack of response' to issues of mango growers, the principal Opposition party is to hold a demonstration in Natham of Dindigul district on Friday. On an average, the State grows mango on 1.46 lakh hectares with an annual production of around 9.5 lakh tonnes. There was a perceptible fall in production only during the COVID-19 pandemic year (2020-21). While the State's share in terms of area is around 6% of the national average, it contributes about 4% of national production. Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Theni and Tiruvallur are the major mango-growing districts in the State. According to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA – a body under the control of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries), Tamil Nadu is known for its varieties - Alphonso, Totapuri or Bangalora, Banganapalli and Neelum. The State government refers to other varieties, too, such as Imam Pasand, Rumani and Senthura. However, at the all-India level, Tamil Nadu is considered a major mango-growing State. Among the southern States that make it to the toppers' list are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, with Uttar Pradesh in the north leading the pack. Due to mismatch in demand and supply, farmers complain that the private sector offers them only ₹8 to ₹9 per kg, as against their demand of ₹20 per kg. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, in a statement issued on Wednesday, quoted a rate of ₹5 per kg. P.S. Masilamani, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated to the CPI, suggests that the State government follow the example of Andhra Pradesh in providing a subsidy of ₹4 per kg. K. Ramasamy, former Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, also supports the idea of the State government's intervention in procurement. As the State has enough cold storage facilities, the procured mangoes can be kept there, he says, adding that after carrying out value addition, the authorities can arrange for the sale of such products, including exports. 'If there is a huge glut, the government can even think of providing mango juice to schoolchildren once a week for a limited period,' the academician says. The government says it has been closely following the developments, and two rounds of talks were arranged by the Krishnagiri Collector between the farmers and representatives of the mango pulp industry, according to Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam. As the talks did not yield results, the Agricultural Production Commissioner-Agriculture Secretary on June 16 held a discussion with the industry. As a sequel to the meeting, the industry has started procuring the variety of Bangalora, used for juice, the Minister adds, expressing the hope that the procurement price would gradually increase, and it would go on till the second week of August. Though Mr. Panneerselvam's statement does not mention any rate, he assures the farmers that the government has been taking steps to ensure a profit for the growers. His colleague and Food Minister R. Sakkarapani, referring to the government's measures, questions the need for any agitation by the AIADMK. A veteran policymaker emphasises that the State government comes out with a strategy paper in respect of all perishable fruits and vegetables, detailing measures to be taken by the authorities to absorb the surplus, including plans for adequate processing facilities.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Have you tried aamras, the summer treat with ripe mangoes? Try the Gujarati thali, complete with fluffy dhoklas and shrikhand
What's not to love about aamras? Made by pureeing ripe mangoes into a smooth and silky pulp, this delicious summer treat is an ode to the flavour of ripe mangoes. We are dreaming about aamras as we make our way to Kanchan's Kitchen at Gujarati Samaj Complex in Mettupalayam Road. It's lunch time and the hall is packed with diners waiting for their turn to savour the delicious Gujarati thali with a side of aamras. 'Our thali is sweet, tangy and spicy. It's like having lunch at a Gujarati home and that's what draws our customers,' says K Mukesh adding that the vegetable sabjis are made with home-made masalas and ingredients they use in everyday cooking at his home. We start with a glass of refreshing buttermilk, and follow it up with fluffy dhoklas served with mint chutney and sweet imli sauce. The thali platter arrives with a bowl of the delicious ripe mango treat. Gujaratis love a complete meal and the cuisine is known for its vegetarian options. 'Our thalis are an endless procession of flavours and texture. Sweet, salty, spicy, tangy and everything in-between. Aamras is one of our most loved dishes. It tastes best with hot pooris. We wait for the mango season to make it. For more than three months, every Gujarati household makes this drink in large quantities. It stirs a happy emotion in us, of happy childhood where there's always a shortage of aamras! We enjoy it with poori, phulkas and sometimes even rice,' says Mukesh, a Gujarati who moved to Coimbatore eight years ago from Mumbai. He stocks up on best of the mangoes from March end when the season begins, for example Ratnagiri mangoes, particularly Alphonso varieties from Salem and Mumbai. 'I spend hours on picking the right ones that are naturally sweet with great texture and aroma to maintain a consistent taste through the season. During weekdays, we serve the thali with three sabjis, three phulkas, rice and dal, buttermilk and pappad. On Sundays, we have special meals with two sweets, two starters, mini wheat pooris, phulkas, three sabjis and dal, and aamras,' explains Mukesh. Recalling the initial days, Mukesh says it was a dearth of restaurants that served authentic Gujarati food that led him to start Kanchan's Kitchen. 'I stayed here for eight days during my visit and I couldn't find a single outlet. I started one with six tables which has now grown to accommodate 50 people. Our customers love our phulkas. On Sundays, we have people coming from Pollachi, Tiruppur and Palakkad, just to enjoy a meal here. More that 70 percent of my customers are South Indians who enjoy authentic Gujarati food and our service,' explains Mukesh over plates of mini bondas, white dhoklas, jalebis and shrikhand. 'While the spongy yellow dhoklas are popular, we also make a variant in white akin to steamed idlis tossed in a dry masala,' he says as we sample the white dhoklas that are tangy and sweet. I round off my meal with a bowl of creamy and delicious shrikhand, a quintessential Gujarati treat. A meal for two costs ₹400 approximately. Open from 12 noon till 4 pm for lunch and from 6pm to 10pm for dinner at Gujarati Samaj Complex, Mettupalayam Road. Also available are khakras, chivdas and other Gujarati sweets and savouries. Call 8610479793.
