Ranchi, Jun 19 (PTI) A wide range of naturally grown mango varieties sourced from NABARD-supported tribal farmers emerged as the main attraction at a three-day festival that began here on Friday.

Organised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the festival aims to promote market access for tribal farmers and provide consumers with the opportunity to purchase naturally grown, premium-quality mangoes.

The event will conclude on Sunday.

"This is the fourth edition of the festival. It is the result of the combined efforts of NABARD’s Tribal Development Fund (TDF) initiative and farmer-producer organisations (FPOs). The mangoes available here are of export quality and have significant potential to enhance farmers’ incomes by enabling access to premium domestic and international markets," NABARD Jharkhand chief general manager Deepmala Ghosh said.

Varieties such as Dasheri, Mallika, Malda, Langda, Gulabkhas, Neelam, Amrapali and Himsagar are available at the festival, she said, adding that the fruits are free from carbide ripening.

"The objective behind organising this festival is not only to provide access to local markets but also to attract exporters and food processing companies for procurement of these organically grown mangoes from Jharkhand, so that they could reach every corner of the world," the CGM said.

She further said the NABARD Jharkhand Regional Office has supported 64 TDF projects across the state, benefiting more than 50,000 tribal families through sustainable livelihood interventions.

A farmer named Rameshwar Oraon from Pandeypura Panchayat in Latehar district said NABARD is providing constant technical and financial support.

"Through NABARD’s intervention, I developed orchards of mangoes on 15 acres. Every season, my earnings go above Rs 1 lakh by selling the produce. I brought a total of 11 quintals of four varieties of mangoes for sale — Amrapali, Mallika, Himsagar, and Totapuri. The price of these varieties ranges between Rs 40 and 60 per kg," Oraon said.

Heeralal Kumar Mahto, a farmer from Bishnugarh in Hazaribagh district, said, "Every season I am producing 15 to 20 quintals of mangoes of four varieties -- Malda, Gulabkhas, Amrapali and Himsagar -- on my one acre of land. NABARD provides nursery, technical assistance, organic fertilisers and other support. Every season, I earn around Rs 25,000 to 30,000." PTI RPS RPS MNB

Market access for tribal farmers takes centre stage as NABARD promotes organically grown mangoes and buyer linkages. Market access for tribal farmers was promoted through a mango festival organised by NABARD in Ranchi, featuring naturally grown, export-quality mangoes sourced from NABARD-supported tribal farmers. The initiative was linked to NABARD's Tribal Development Fund and farmer-producer organisations, and was intended to connect farmers with premium domestic and international buyers, including exporters and food processing companies, for organically grown produce.