Kesar exports from south Gujarat surge

Saurashtra, the region famous for its Kesar mangoes, has competition from the south Gujarat-based cooperatives, which have emerged as major growers and exporters of the mango variety.

Eleven cooperative societies in Valsad and Navsari in south Gujarat exported around 200 tonne of Kesar and Alphonso mangoes to the Gulf region in 2006, thanks to a tie-up with ITC, the country's tobacco major engaged in contract farming.

Over the last three years, the exports have grown substantially from 40 tonne in 2004 and 100 tonne in 2005. The tie-up with ITC was possible through Dhruva BAIF, an NGO working for the development of small and tribal farmers, 3 years ago.

Valsad's Mandava Horticulture Cooperative Society exported 80 tonne of Kesar in 2006 from 60 tonne exported in 2005. The Navsari-based Vasundhara Co-operative exported 26 trucks of Kesar in 2006 (one truck accounts for around 9 tonne f mangoes).

"There are 1,092 farmer members in our cooperative and most of them are small farmers with their own plantations of Kesar and Alphonso. Three years ago, some officials of ITC approached us through BAIF. They were looking for organically cultivated Kesar and Alphonso mangoes. They visited various plantations and decided to tie up with the farmers' cooperative societies through BAIF. Since then, the production as well as exports are on the rise," said Anil Gavali, secretary Vasundhara Cooperative.

"Nine cooperatives of Valsad district have exported 171 tonne of Kesar in 2006 as against 98 tonne in 2005 and 45 tonne in 2004. The figures clearly show that the exports of the mangoes are on the rise," said Jayanti Mori, chief additional programme officer of Dhruva BAIF.