VIKANT SAHAY
vikant@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The king of fruits – mangoes always lead the people to drool, especially if one is in Goa and has access to a good flavour-some ripe Mancurads.
In fact, Karan Manral along with his wife Yogita Mehra began delivering nicely-packed Chorao quality organic Mancurad mangoes in Goa at door steps since 2010. However, this effort has been consistent only because of the cooperation by the mango farmers from Chorao Islands, who have formed a club – Chorao Farmers’ Club led by Premanand Mahambare.
The farmers had a challenge because mango contractors would pay them just Rs 4-5 a mango even when the market prices were Rs 20-25 each. By selling the mangoes themselves, the farmers make as much as three to four times more per season.
“We originally started with a home delivery model, which has now been converted into pickups from Panjim and Socorro at Porvorim. There is one set price for the entire season and most years we have just about 600 to 800 boxes of dozen mangoes to offer, though this tends to vary according to the season. These days the customers place their orders on our Facebook page and WhatsApp groups which sometimes is as early as January. Our mangoes have been very popular as gifts, both from individuals and some businesses too,” said Karan Manral of the Green Essentials.
Manral added that one of their customers Dr Anita Dudhane, gave them examples of how mangoes from the market would bother her daughters throat, while ours would not cause problems at all as it was organic.
President of the Chorao Farmers’ Club and a mango farmer, Premanand Mahambare said, “This kind of marketing has helped us. I have a 32000 square meters of orchard which has various fruits and which I have 80 mango trees. Our mangoes are rarely early, because we do not use agents like cultar to accelerate ripening to catch the early market. We believe in ensuring that taste is incredible, because we believe that is what really matters”
Walli Lima Fernandes another mango farmer who stays in Panjim but has his orchard at Chorao Island said, “We personally see that the mangoes are organic and the product we sell are verified by us and if there is any complaint, we replace the mango and if there are more than six mangoes in the box of 12 which are not of a good quality, we replace the entire box.”
Connoisseurs of Mancurda in Goa also swear by Chorao Mancurda as they consider it safe, healthy, organic and not artificially grown and ripened.
Dr Anita Dudhane, consultant allergist, said, “These mangoes are organic, hygienic and the farmers get the entire amount of the product as it is marketed well. There are no reactions due to this fruit. Also, the prices and size are standardised and by buying them, we are supporting the farmers We have to encourage these farmers as these mangoes are the best.”
“We do not buy from outside or the market. We only buy from them as it is a direct farmer initiative and is trustworthy. I am a happy customer,” added Shrayragi Israni, an artist by profession.
