New Delhi, July 05: More than 500 varieties of mangoes are on exhibition in the capital at a two-day festival showcasing the culinary delights of the "king of fruits". Currently, nearly Rs 450 crore worth of mangoes and mango products are exported, Delhi Minister for Tourism, Transport and Power Ajay Maken said inaugurating the festival here today.

The festival, which aims to provide exposure to the domestic mango industry and exporters, is being organised by Delhi tourism in association with Agricultural and Processed food products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Horticulture Board (NHB) and Delhi government.

Besides APEDA and NHB, Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, Department of Horticulture and Food Processing (Uttar Pradesh government) and IARI, Pusa, are expected to participate in the festival this year.
The exhibition will have certain unusual varieties like Sindhu, world's only seedless mango, Mallika, a hybrid of two of the finest Indian desert mangoes and other fascinating types like Angoor Dana and Raja Wala, the smallest and the largest sized specimens.
A mango quiz for children and demonstrations by the Indian culinary forum on exquisite dishes to be made from the fruit will be the main attractions this year.

Scientists engaged in the field of mango research will also be felicitated during the festival, being organised at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium.
Bureau Report