Flexible scheduling ensures fresh arrivals reach markets despite uneven harvest patterns
BENGALURU
Bengaluru is set to host not one but several mango melas this year, with organisers opting for a staggered schedule to accommodate fluctuating harvest cycles across Karnataka. The annual mango and jackfruit mela, organised by the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd, will be held at multiple venues to ensure both farmers and consumers benefit.
The first mela will be inaugurated on Friday at Cubbon Park and will run until May 17. This year’s approach marks a departure from the usual single-event format, driven by unpredictable weather patterns that have altered fruiting timelines in different regions.
While mangoes from Ramanagara, Kanakapura and parts of Uttara Karnataka are ready, the crop in Kolar—one of the state’s largest mango belts—is yet to ripen. Officials said a separate mela will be organised at Lalbagh Botanical Garden once Kolar’s produce reaches markets.
KSMDMCL Chairman B.C. Muddugangadhar noted that pests such as thrips, along with recent hailstorms, have significantly affected yields in Kolar and Chikkaballapur. In Srinivasapura taluk alone, 8–10 percent of fruits reportedly fell prematurely. “If we waited for Kolar’s crop, mangoes from other regions would have perished,” he explained.
To widen access, the board is also planning mini-melas across neighbourhoods, including Sahakarnagar, Electronics City, Whitefield and National College Grounds in Basavanagudi, in coordination with civic authorities.
The Cubbon Park mela will feature around 50 mango stalls and seven jackfruit stalls, offering a wide range of varieties. These include popular mangoes such as Badami, Mallika, Rasapuri and Sendhura, along with the GI-tagged Kari Ishad from Uttara Kannada. Jackfruit varieties like Rudrakshi and Shivarathri will also be available.
Organisers emphasised that all fruits sold will be naturally ripened, avoiding harmful chemicals. With many farmers now using digital platforms and WhatsApp-based sales, the melas aim to complement direct marketing while ensuring quality produce reaches consumers across the city.