Miguel Braganza
The Mankurad or Malcorada is the first mango to hit the market. It is also the first mango variety of Goan origin to have a ‘Geographical Indication’ or G.I. for Goa since 2022. However, the first fruits that are now selling at Rs.600 per fruit or a whopping Rs.7,200 a dozen in the Margao market have obviously come from across the border. If you want to believe that these are naturally grown in a remote village of Goa and ripened in hay, would be your delusion. We do have early maturing sub-varieties within the Mankurad but ripening in January is stretching it a bit too far. All over Goa, the mango trees are just flowering and we will be lucky if fruits mature by the end of March.
We may think that it is madness but the price that is quoted in the market is indicative of just how mad a Goan is for Mankurad mango. For a Goan working overseas, Rs. 600 is just few dollars or euroes, which is the price of a coffee abroad. The ‘miracle’ is obviously due to paclobutrazol or Cultar induced flowering and artificial ripening using the legal catalytic converter to produce ethylene from alcohol in an airconditioned ripening chamber or the illicit use of Ethrel or, worse, calcium carbide powder in a bhatti or box. When one depends on vegetables from Belgaum wholesale market that are generously sprayed with insecticides even after harvest and fish that may well be laced with formalin after the ‘whistleblower’ has been appropriately dealt with, what is the fuss about a little ethylene?
The bacterial formulation of Pseudomonas flourescens (Sparsha or Bio-Jodi), if sprayed to prevent flower-drop, will survive on the dew. However, a repeat spray is recommended to control anthracnose especially in Mankurad mango fruits as they ripen. The insect management with Beauvaria bassiana (Baba, Biocure-F, etc) formulation for the mango hoppers will also reduce the population of fruit-flies. Check that pheromone is for mango the fruit-fly and its expiry date before opening the lure and hanging it at chest height near the mango tree. This will keep the mangoes free from both, pests and pesticide residues.
We now have three mango varieties with G.I. for Goa: Mankurad (Malcorada), Manga Hilario and Mussorad (Monserrate). The export season for mangoes can now stretch up to end of June for fresh mangoes. The Mussorad mango pulp and jam can be exported thereafter. No other state or country can use these names in the market. We need the conformity certificates to be issued and the use of the name regulated. There are increasing numbers of direct flights from Goa to Sharjah, Doha and Muscat. We need entrepreneurs in Goa to tap these facilities. Entrepreneurs from neighbouring states are already using Mopa because it is closer, cheaper and more convenient than Mumbai and Bengaluru. This is the time for local startups to get into the act.
