After a gap of two years, the mango mela is expected to be back in Mysuru as the Department of Horticulture is planning to organise it this year to bring the best fruits under one platform and benefit farmers by providing them a direct marketing platform.
COVID-19 had paused mango melas in Mysuru in 2020 and 2021 and the department is keen to have it this year as the pandemic situation is under control. However, the fate of the mela depends on the response from farmers.
Deputy Director of Horticulture, Mysuru, Rudresh, said a circular will be issed in a day or two inviting farmers to participate. The mela is open to farmers from other districts too. “The mela is planned in May this year and the dates will be known once the number of participants is finalised.”
He said the output is low this year due to last year’s prolonged rain but there are hopes of getting quality fruits which may be available in the mela.
The outskirts of Mysuru, especially around Yelwal hobli, were known for mango farms. Thanks to urbanisation, the farms have made way for residential layouts and industries. The cultivable area has shrunk and farms exist only in some pockets of the district, including Mysuru taluk, H.D. Kote taluk and Nanjangud taluk.
