A three-day Mango Festival has kicked off in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, bringing together colourful mango varieties grown across the country under one roof. Adding to the flavour of this year's event are nearly 25 varieties of mangoes from Meerut district in western Uttar Pradesh, whose aroma and sweetness are turning heads at the festival.
25 out of 35 varieties made the cut
District Horticulture Officer Arun Kumar said the Lucknow mango festival holds special significance every year because it brings mango varieties from every corner of the country onto a single platform. He noted that these mangoes are in high demand not just within India but also overseas, which is part of what makes the Lucknow gathering such a closely watched event on the horticulture calendar. For this edition, Meerut district had submitted 35 varieties for consideration, out of which organisers finally selected 25 for display at the festival.
As pleasing to the eye as to the palate
According to Arun Kumar, the varieties sent from Meerut stand out because they are as visually striking as they are delicious. He explained that the vibrant colours and rich sweetness of these mangoes keep demand alive in foreign markets as well, helping Meerut's mango produce build a reputation well beyond national borders and giving local growers a reason to take pride in what their orchards produce every season.
Meerut's 25 star varieties
The list of Meerut varieties featured at the festival includes Amrapali, Gulab Khas, Rajnigandha, Godavari, Totapari, Habib Pasand, Late Langda, Ramkela, Chausa, Langda, Dashahari, Gulab Jamun and Rataul, among others, rounding up to 25 varieties in total. All of these are known for their excellent taste and already enjoy strong popularity among consumers. Meerut's mango varieties had won considerable appreciation at last year's edition of the festival too, and organisers are hopeful the district will once again strike a chord with visitors this time. Much like the previous year, there is an expectation that Meerut will once again bring home prize money in the horticulture category and reinforce its standing in the field, a result that would matter a great deal to the farmers whose orchards these varieties come from.
A platform for farmers, a boost for agriculture
Arun Kumar added that festivals of this kind carry real significance for the agricultural sector. When farmers get an opportunity to showcase their produce, they get to display their skill and hard work on a bigger stage, often for the first time in front of visitors and officials from outside their own district. This also brings regional mango varieties into public conversation, benefiting farmers both in terms of recognition and, eventually, economic gains that can follow once buyers and traders take note of a particular variety.
