Muthalamada; ‘Mango City’ of Kerala
Muthalamada, known as the ‘Mango city’ of
Kerala is located on the Kerala‐Tamil Nadu border, in Chittur taluk of Palakkad
district in kerala. It is producing tones of mangoes annually. They are well known for its quality off-season mangoes (early mango harvest) and large scale
export. Muthalamada mangoes are also well known for their
flavor, taste, and juiciness. Approximately 2700 hectares of land are under
mango cultivation, while the actual area could be more than the stated figures.
More than 70 per cent of the fruits are sold
beyond the State in Mumbai, Delhi and other places in India and abroad, thus
crores are fetched throuh mango trade annually. A number of
mango lovers from nearby districts visit Muthalamada to buy their preferred
varieties directly from their farm. Seemingly, middlemen from North come to
this ‘mango city’ as early as August and book the yield of next season well in
advance.
Muthalamada Mango City
o
Cultivating Myriads of mango varieties
o
Mango trade of crores in and outside country and in
international markets
o
Tonnes of mangoes produced annually
o
More than 2700 hectares of mango plantations
Among
the mango hubs in the country, harvesting begins in Muthalamada first, by
January-February every year, and the season continues till the end of July. So
Muthalamada is the first to supply mango fruits to markets in and outside the
country. Hence, these have
international demand and fetch good prices. Moovandan variety is harvested
twice a year, which is rare. The climate and location of Muthalamada, which
lies on the lap of the Nelliampathy Hills and the Parambikulam forests
bordering Tamil Nadu, are said to be the reason for the twin flowering.
Cultivated varieties
Cultivated varieties
Muthalamada produces almost all the best and most sought after varieties of
mangoes in India like Alphonso, Suvarnarekha, Mallika, Banganapally and
Neelam and the local Moovandan, Chakkarakatty, Mulgoa, Chandrakaran and so on. and they all have overwhelming demand in the international market.
Economic
Importance
Mango is popular for its wide range of
adaptability, high nutritive value, richness in variety, delicious taste and
excellent flavor. It is a rich source of vitamin A and C. The fruit is consumed
raw or ripe. Good mango varieties contain 20% of total soluble sugars. The acid
content of ripe desert fruit varies from 0.2 to 0.5% and protein content is
about 1 %. Presently, the raw fruit of local varieties of mango are used for
preparing pickle and raw slices in brine, on commercial scale while fruits of
Alphonso variety are used for squash preparation.
Mango production and export
Muthalamada has more than 700 farmers having 2-5 acres of mango orchards.
Panchayat has over 600 contractors, 36 registered exporters, and 20 mango parking
facilities and they altogether provide jobs for more than 15,000 people in a
season as fruit pluckers, sorters, and packers. In the orchards, temporary
workers are there for plucking mangoes as per their class meant for exports
under the strict watch of contractors. Hygienic
surroundings, clean water, grading equipment and treating chambers are
necessary for ensuring quality. Harvested farm fresh
mangoes are exported to wholesale markets through trucks. Good quality mangoes
are meant for international markets. In face of allegations that the orchards
use heavy doses of pesticides, many farmers are now growing organically
cultivated mangoes with a high price tag.
Ripening with ethylene is an internationally accepted method,
both cheaper and eco-friendly, which is an effective substitute for the
unhealthy use of calcium carbide. Treating raw mango with hot water is a
natural method that frees the fruit of rot and pests, increases the shelf life
and gives an attractive golden-yellow color to the skin. Controlling fruit
flies, the main cause of rot, is a challenge. Farmers are extensively using
chemicals for controlling these infestations. In the long run, this will cause severe health problems
to them and the consumers. Thus, the Horticulture Mission has initiated steps
for encouraging the use of methyl eugenol. These are available as traps, two of
which are sufficient for an acre. Also
Attempts are being made by Agriculture department and Horticulture mission to
help them take up organic farming and get organic certification for Muthalamada
mangoes. This will help to fetch good prices.
Chittur Agro park
The Agro Park employs ethylene‐based ripening , which is recognised internationally as a
safe method for ripening fruits. The Park has ripening and pre‐cooling chambers.
About four tonnes of mangoes can be ripened at a time. This mangoes can be kept
for three weeks without damage, The park will function round the clock during
the season to benefit the farmers of Muthalamada and other places. Mango
growers here had been using a lot of chemical pesticides to kill fruit flies,
which rupture the outer skin of the fruit to lay eggs. When the eggs hatch, the
larvae feed on the pulp of the ripe fruit. Insects can be effectively controlled
by the new methods used in the Agro Park.
ANCHANA.V.V
ANCHANA.V.V
No comments:
Post a Comment