Weighing a mango: facts and figures

Mango trees are natives of southern Asia that offers the best of tropical climate for their growth. From here they were migrated to other parts of the world, say for example, to California only in 1880.

Mango trees love a hot dry climate of around 40C. Their thick and dark green leaves have enormous power to keep the atmosphere clean and cool. Mango fruits are juicy and fibrous. A ripe mango contains about 15% sugar, up to 1% protein, and significant amounts of Vitamins A, B and C. Moreover, fibrous food is always good for intestine.

Mango trees love sunlight and aeration. In turn, a full-grown mango tree can provide commendably dense shade. This ultimately attracts squirrels and several birds to its verdant branches. They can grow in sandy, loam or clay soils with pH 5.5 to 7.5. Their roots go very deep in search of nutrition.

India is the largest producer of mangoes with 10.8 million tons from total 16million hectares of cultivation. Among the Indian States, Andhra Pradesh tops the list with 350000 hectares of mango farming.

Langra and Himsagar of Uttar Pradesh, Malda of West Bengal, Alphonso of Karnataka are the lead brands in India. Banganapalli, Bombay, Bombay Green, Chausa, Dashehari, Fazli, Fernandian, Himsagar, Kesar, Kishen Bhog, Mallika, Mankurad, Mulgoa, Neelum, Pairi, Suvarnarekha, Totapuri, Vanraj, Zardalu, Bangalora and Gulabkhas are others in the row.

-Prepared by Akhila S. Nair after gathering information from various sources on mangoes.

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Mango now a green tale

Former Senior Editor of India Today and Indian Express, Govindan Kutty, after witnessing a mango fest in Bangalore generously wrote to us sparking a few ecological thoughts. Mango is an icon, an article of food and faith says Mr. Govindan Kutty who believes that ecology is more than a matter of health or heritage. In a tropical nation like ours, where mango trees are born, his faith should get more supporters.

How much secure are mango trees in the yards of Kerala? Ever burgeoning consumerism has become a sharpened axe to break the indelible affinity that existed for a long time between the people of Kerala and trees.

In this State, everything is commercial and nothing is sustainable. Paddy fields now earn more than before – not by way of sowing and reaping, but by filling and building villas. Courtyards are more green – not due to mango and Neem trees, but with carpet grass and croton plants. Avenues have more shades – not that of trees, but of electric posts.

While in Kerala, do not expect a mango fair to be held in a traditional farm yard. Rustic market places are devoid of any gathering of peasants who arduously earned their fruits. Instead, what you see in abundance today, even in villages, are expanding chains of super markets. Go to the nearest branch of a supermarket giant. There you find plastic signboards with attractive images of mangoes. On one corner of the state-of-the art mall, you find mangoes of different kinds displayed as valuable commodities. Never doubt on the quality or price – each mango bears a sticker denoting OK and its price. You purchase these juicy 'artifacts' in plastic carry bags. The glass doors of the super shop automatically open wide showing you the way out. While eating slices of mangoes never forget that you are proudly gulping pieces of an up-to-the minute culture.

Affectionate grandmas who insisted to offer slices of mangoes to grandchildren and serve delicious pickles for our feasts are still alive. They do not walk beyond the boundaries of mushrooming old-age homes. Even in the premises of such twilight's homes, you rarely find a mango tree. When nostalgia pricks his inflated sentiments, a Keralite vents his emotions by going to the next super market to find if there are still more mangoes to buy.

- Prepared by K.P.Sivakumar, inspired by a message received from Govindan Kutty, former senior editor, India Today and Indian Express.

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