New Delhi, 31 July (H.S.): Neelam and Totapuri mango varieties from Karnataka have been exported to the Maldives by air for the first time, marking a significant milestone in strengthening India’s position in the global mango market and enhancing farmers’ income. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal congratulated the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for facilitating the export.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, APEDA played a key role in facilitating the export shipment carried out on July 30. The development is considered an important achievement in promoting Karnataka’s late-season mango varieties in international markets and further strengthening India’s mango export portfolio.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, in a post on ‘X’ on Friday, congratulated APEDA for enabling the first air shipment of Neelam and Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka to the Maldives. He said that consumers in the Maldives would now be able to enjoy these premium mango varieties from Karnataka.

Goyal said the achievement would create new opportunities for mango growers in Karnataka. It would also encourage greater participation of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), exporters and agri-entrepreneurs, while strengthening their presence in international markets.

The ministry stated that the one-metric-tonne consignment of Neelam and Totapuri mangoes was directly sourced from farmers associated with ‘Prakruthimaya Farmers Producer Company Limited’, located in KGF taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka. The shipment was exported by Ashwini A, Director of ‘Ahalya Devi Ventures’, a newly registered woman entrepreneur and exporter.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry highlighted that the development reflects the growing participation of women entrepreneurs in India’s agricultural export ecosystem.

The mango consignment was flagged off by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev (IAS). He appreciated the collective efforts of exporters, Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), farmers and all stakeholders involved in making the export possible.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar