The 10th edition of Koppal Mavu Mela 2026, a mango exhibition and sale fair organised by the Department of Horticulture, was inaugurated in Koppal on May 12 with a focus on enabling direct marketing of quality mangoes from farmers to consumers.

The fair is being held in the premises of the office of the Joint Director of Horticulture. It is open till May 22. It has a wide range of mango varieties, value-added products, and exhibits related to mango cultivation on display.

Lok Sabha Member from Koppal K. Rajashekar Basavaraj Hitnal, Legislative Council Member Hemalatha Naik, Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Varnit Negi visited the fair, inspected the stalls, and appreciated the initiative. The dignitaries tasted mango delicacies and traditional ‘seekarane’ prepared from mango pulp.

Joint Director of Horticulture Krishna C. Ukkund briefed the visitors about the fair and its significance for mango growers in the district.

The fair showcases popular mango varieties Kesar, Dasheri, Alphonso (Apoos), Benishan, Mallika, Sindhuri, Imam Pasand, Totapuri, Kalmi, Rasapuri and Swarnarekha, besides pickle mangoes and processed mango products. More than 200 mango varieties and related products are on display.

Officials said Koppal district has emerged as an important mango-growing region, with mango cultivation spread across more than 6,500 hectares. Kesar mango has gained particular popularity among growers and consumers alike.

A major attraction of the fair is the display and sale of the Japanese Miyazaki mango, considered one of the world’s costliest mango varieties. Though the fruit reportedly commands prices running into lakhs of rupees per kilogram internationally, farmers in Koppal are offering it for around ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 per kg. Officials said several customers had already placed advance bookings for the premium fruit.

More than 100 farmers registered to participate in the fair this year, reflecting increasing interest in direct sale to consumers. The department has provided over 30 stalls free of cost to farmers, farmer producer companies, and district HOPCOMS units.

The exhibition includes a photo gallery tracing the journey of the mango fair from 2016 to 2026, marking a decade of the event in Koppal.

Officials said the fair was also being used as a platform to educate farmers on scientific and natural ripening methods, organic cultivation practices, export opportunities and modern mango production technologies. Demonstrations are being held on the use of ‘en-ripe’ punch-hole pouches developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, for natural ripening of mangoes.

The department has appealed to the public to visit the fair and support mango growers by purchasing fruits directly from farmers at reasonable prices.