From Abha Anindita
BENGALURU, Dec 17: The three-day Zest Fest held here ended on a high note as 60-70 per cent of the 4 metric tonne of Khasi Mandarins were sold out by the time the curtains fell on the grand event, infusing the organisers — the Meghalaya government — with a sense of achievement.
The festival’s final day, Sunday, at Lal Bagh Botanical Garden featured numerous stalls, highlighting favourites like Lakadong Turmeric and original honey.
Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Department of Food Processing, Maqbool Lyngdoh Suaim, expressed satisfaction over the positive response from Bangalore and emphasised on plans to collaborate with local retailers and major chains like Big Basket and Reliance Fresh.
However, there are logistical challenges in maintaining freshness, given the transportation from Shillong, and if not sold out, letting it waste.
However, the remaining products will be delivered to the local retailers in Bangalore, added Lyngdoh.
To address the low production problem in Meghalaya, the state government is looking forward to it ‘Citrus Rejuvenation’ programme to revive old orchards, aiming to enhance production, while preserving taste and quality over 4-5 years. This programme will educate farmers on the fruit’s value chain, mainly in government seed farms.
Despite varying tastes across the state, the goal is to promote fruits under the Khasi Mandarin umbrella.
Recent exports of 20 metric tonne to Dubai’s Lulu Hypermarket have motivated the state government and the farmers, expecting and hinting at future growth, necessitating new orchards.
The state government is also aiming at capacity building programmes for farmers and to hand-hold them throughout to stick to eco-friendly practices with bio-fertilisers.
The Khasi Mandarin, already GI tagged, targets an organic tag.
The government plans to allocate 1,000 hectares for organic farming, not only for the mandarin but all high-value crops.
One aspect where the state government needs to emphasise is post-harvest management.
However, Lyngdoh said that he had earlier on Sunday visited a factory in Bangalore along with his officers. They, according to him, are exploring a new sorting, grading, and waxing machine, made in India, which will help enhance the shelf life of the fruits.
“I am happy to inform you that one unit is coming up in Jirang, this morning I was here in one of the companies in Bangalore, with officers of the department. It is a sorting, grading and also waxing machine, made solely in India, indigenously,” he said.
He added that the state government will try using the machine as it could come in handy in rural and power deficit areas.
The machine detects the colour too, and therefore, increases the shelf life of the orange for around 7-8 days, he said.
In conclusion, Meghalaya aims to host more events nationwide, further promoting the uniqueness of Khasi Mandarins and establishing a notable presence in the country’s orange market.