Jardalu mangoes from Bihar's Bhagalpur exported to UK

BHAGALPUR: People in the United Kingdom (UK) will find Jardalu mangoes soon on their dining tables. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in association with the state agriculture department and Bhagalpur district agriculture department, has exported the first consignment of Geographical Indications (GI) tagged Jardalu mangoes to London on Monday.
The state government, in a joint step with APEDA, exported nearly 1,000kg of juicy Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur after getting certified for its quality and packed at Lucknow.It is likely to reach London later this week.
Officials said efforts were also under way to send Jardalu variety of mangoes to the USA and European Union (EU) countries in near future.
Bhagalpur district horticulture officer (DHO) Vikash Kumar said Jardalu mangoes from the orchard of farmer Krishnanand Singh of Simri village under Kahalgaon sub-division in Bhagalpur district were selected and sent through an export registered farmers’ agency after quality certifications.
“The mangoes were cultivated by organic farming technique and no pesticides or chemicals were used in growing the mangoes. Registration of farmers of Bhagalpur region from APEDA for exporting the mangoes in future is under process in order to get the exports done by the mango growers and horticulturists in the region," he said.
“The state government’s decision to export Jardalu mangoes to the UK is inspired by CM Nitish Kumar’s vision of "one food item from Bihar in every Indian’s plate".
Interestingly, the unique variety of Jardalu mangoes, which got prestigious GI tag in 2018 due to its exceptional quality, were selected from the Madhuban Farm at Maheshi-Tilakpur village under Sultanganj block by the state government are being sent in box packs to the dignitaries across the country, including the President of India, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman, chief ministers across the states and other VVVIPs since the year 2007.
It is for the first time that Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur region has been exported to the UK whereas plans are also afoot to export it to the EU countries and the US in future.