Kozhikode: The 26th annual mango festival organised by Calicut Agri-Horticultural Society began at Gandhi Park on Cherootty Road here on Friday. The 26th edition of the festival has many varieties of mangos from across India on display.
The festival was inaugurated by Mayor Thott-athil Raveendran. Distr-ict collector Samba Sh-iva Rao presided over the inaugural function.
The festival highlights noted mango verities including, Alfonsa, Khu-dadath, Banganappalli, Malgoa, Kalapadi, Ban-galora (Thothapuri), Be-net Alfonsa, Chandrak-karan, Anathalayan, Maharajapasanth, Cha-kkarakkuti , Guava Ma-ngo Ammini, and the colourful Suvarnare-kha.
Around 25 types of plants including Neel-am, Super king, Mallika, Japan pera and Seedless Javel have been exhibited in the festival. Besi-des hybrid varieties produced by government nurseries such as H4, H44 and H151 have also showcased.
“Rare mangoes are the central attraction of this festival. It is difficult to get these many varieties of mangoes in the local market. We collect the mangos directly from farmers’ society. We have ensured that none of the mangoes have used chemical content for ripening”, said R. Ravi, one of the organisers.
The greatest attraction of the festival, as in the previous years, is the mango eating competition, scheduled on April 28 at 4 p.m. Interested participants must register on or before April 28, 12 pm.
An exhibition of arou-nd 100 varieties produc-ed at the District Agricultural Farm in Thalipa-ramba, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy and other government nurseries are also being showcased as part of the festival. Another attraction in the mango festival is Japan guava and jack fruit tree plants, which will give fruits within two years.
The festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The entry into the exhibition is free of cost.
Along with the exhibition, plant sales and live mango juice counter have been set up near at the venue.
The prices of the mangoes range from `40 to `150 per kilo gram. And plant ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 500.
