Team Herald
MARGAO: After planting a “Mankurad” sapling at Ravindra Bhavan at a programme organised by Transform Goa, Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardessai who is also the agriculture minister announced that the government would come out with a policy to preserve Goan germ plasm.
Replying to a question he admitted the need to promote the different varieties of Goan mangoes like Fernandin and Mangilal that are now on the verge of extinction. He said Mangilal is the best mango variety, but it ripens during the monsoon as such has a short life and difficult to market.
Vijai disclosed that the Agriculture Department is in talks with an Israeli company to set up an organic farm in Goa where Goan germ plasm would be propagated. He also informed that areas favourable to that particular crop would be selected for setting up such farms. “The seven ridged lady fingers of Siridao, water melons of Parra and Majorda are some fruits that are associated with Goenkarponn and we have to promote these,” he said.
After planting the “Mankurad” sapling, he advised Transform Goa to first concentrate on ensuring that Goans get good quality “Mankurad” and added that “duplicate Mankurad are for sale in Goa where at times ‘Alphonso’ mango is sold as Mankurad.”
Earlier, Transform Goa convener John de Sa, who is working in the Gulf, said his aim was to export Goa’s delicious Mankurad to the world by 2035 and revealed that in the Gulf he tasted mangoes grown in different parts of the world but none of them could match Mankurad.
Vijai revealed that in the USA a mango called Tommy Atkins from Mexico is very famous and largely available. He said that instead of targeting global market for Mankurad, it would be better to make sure that Goans get good quality Mankurad.
He assured all help to Anthony Lobo who had prepared the grafts and Transform Goa distributed 300 grafts at Margao, Cortalim, Porvorim and Panjim of which five were planted at Ravindra Bhavan. While people who had registered for the graft were given one free they had to pay Rs 500 for the second graft.
Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan Margao who was also present said they had to associate with the programme as Mankurad is a symbol of Goan culture and the Ravindra Bhavan is aimed at promoting Goan culture.
