Grab that bite of asli KESAR

Grab that bite of asli KESAR

For a month, Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation will help growers from Junagadh sell naturally ripened Kesar mangoes directly to Amdavadis
DILIP PATEL
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The delectable Kesar mango, whose taste and quality have deteriorated due to excessive use of calcium carbide as ripening agent, may soon regain its mouth-watering taste, if the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation has its way.
GAIC Managing Director D Thara convened a meeting of mango growers from Vanthali and Talala areas of Junagadh, to facilitate the direct sale of naturally ripened Kesar mango to Amdavadis for a month. “This is the first time that the state government has taken such an initiative,” she said.
As many as 15-16 co-operative societies based in Junagadh have been tasked with the responsibility of getting these farmers to the city. “The GAIC will bear the transportation cost of the fruits,” Thara said.
The managing director’s resolve was strengthened after a 10-kg box of Kesar mangoes she had ordered four days ago contained small packets of calcium carbide. This carcinogen is used to ripen mangoes quickly. “The mangoes had turned black due to overripening. I instantly dumped the entire contents of the box in the dustbin.”

‘FOR PROFIT, VENDORS MUST NOT PLAY WITH LIVES’

“THE DETERIORATION of Kesar mango, that has titillated the tastebuds of people the world over for years, pained and angered me at the same time. Even as the Corporation embarks on a route to cleanse Kesar of calcium carbide, I appeal to all fruit vendors and wholesalers — who take the shortcut to make a fast buck — not to play with the lives of people. I also ask mango lovers to administer the highest caution when they purchase the fruit,” she said.
Thara claimed she had decided to give the people of Ahmedabad a fruit that is free of carcinogenic effect.

FRUIT RIPENING PLANT SET UP IN NARODA

THE GUJARAT Agro Industries Corporation has also set up a 15,000 tonne fruit ripening plant at Naroda. Thara claims the ethylene gas is a WHO-approved process of ripening mangoes and is used by progressive countries as it is harmless.
“The mangoes are passed through a chamber and the gas is released into the chamber depending on the quantity of mangoes in the channel. The mangoes are given a 12-hour dose of the gas and then kept in the open for day. This is a safe method and we are aspiring for safety,” Thara said.
She said the use of gas will be minimal but naturally ripened mangoes will be given a preference over mangoes ripened through the ethylene gas.

DIRECT SALE IN OTHER CITIES OF GUJARAT SOON

THE EXPERIMENT of direct sale of mangoes through farmers if successful will also be replicated in other cities of the state.
Pointing out the differences between naturally ripened mangoes and artificially ripened ones, she said the naturally ripened ones had green and yellow skin, a rich taste and smell. “Its pulp is saffron. That is why it is called Kesar. If calcium carbide has been used to ripen mangoes, it will have uniform yellow skin. The fruit will not smell and the pulp will taste bland,” she explained.