Emphasising the need for facilitating the export of local mangoes, MLA for Hubballi-Dharwad Central Mahesh Tenginakai has said officials should provide requisite information and handhold the farmers initially.

He inaugurated the Dharwad district-level ‘Mango Mela-2026’ organised with the theme ‘Market and Value Addition’, jointly by Karnataka Agriculture Marketing Board, Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Agriculture Marketing Department, Horticulture Department, G.S. Global Foundation and Dharwad district administration at the Multipurpose Exhibition Centre on APMC Yard at Amaragol in Hubballi on Saturday.

Expressing happiness over the variety of mango species grown, the MLA however felt the need for extensive awareness for the mela. He suggested holding the mela in a specific month every year with adequate awareness programmes.

Former MP I.G. Sanadi emphasised the need for people to plant more saplings and increase the green cover for their own better future.

KCCI president G.K. Adappagoudar said that the mango growers were not getting rightful prices for their yield because of middlemen. Such melas helped in doing away with middlemen, he said, emphasising the need for holding similar melas at various places for the benefit of the farmers and also consumers.

Jishan Sirsane of G.S. Global Foundation had embarked on a mission of planting 30 lakh saplings across the globe and they planned to create 1.6 lakh jobs in 14 districts. 

Senior officials including K.H. Guruprasad, Ashiq Ali D.M. and others were present.

Varieties of mango were sold to the customers directly by the farmers at the mela.