Lucknow: Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for focused interventions in the mango sector to ensure higher returns for farmers and boost exports.During a meeting with Lucknow-based Udyan Ratna awardee and mango expert SC Shukla, along with woman orchardist Uma, at his official residence in New Delhi on Sunday, Chouhan stressed the need for an effective action plan to significantly increase mango exports from India next year.Shukla told the minister that farmers could earn up to 10 times more per acre through high-density mango cultivation compared with conventional orchards. He said the model promotes the production of colourful, nutritious and flavourful mangoes with a longer shelf life and regular annual fruiting.He said high-density cultivation could transform orchard management by improving tree maintenance, pesticide application, harvesting and bagging practices. This would help farmers secure better prices in both domestic and export markets.Shukla also urged govt to provide modern post-harvest infrastructure such as hot water treatment plants and cold storage facilities. He said better marketing systems and improved export avenues would enable growers to earn substantially more.Referring to a programme in Lucknow attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shukla said the PM highlighted the income potential of Dussehri mangoes if adequate attention is paid to orchard management and quality production.
