Krishnagiri: State sports minister P Balakrishna Reddy inaugurated the 26th All India Mango Exhibition at a government boys higher secondary school here on Monday.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the minister said mango cultivation is the main farming activity in the region, including Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts.
“Farmers in this region depend on mango cultivation for their economic development,” he said. He said the purpose of organizing the mango exhibition every year is to popularize various varieties of mangoes and other crops to farmers.
More than 50 varieties of mangoes including alphonso, senthura, neelam, malcova, Imam Pasant were displayed at more than 100 stalls at the exhibition. Thousands of visitors thronged the exhibition centre.
Mango farmers and pulp producers from many states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra displayed their produce in the exhibition.
Every time we would give an opportunity to the mango orchard owners to meet prospective buyers during exhibition. “This year too we have arranged for a meeting in the upcoming days,” Krishnagiri collector Kathiravan said. The exhibition will end on July 8.
Earlier, the minister issued various welfare scheme materials worth Rs 56.22 lakh to 348 beneficiaries.
About 50 government departments including the public works department, forest department, Hindu religious and charitable endowment department set up stalls while private companies and their distributers set up 80 stalls in the exhibition. The district administration displayed floral displays including cartoon characters such as Motu, Putlu and Taj Mahal. Collector Kathiravan said that they have used 14 fragrant material to make a miniature Taj Mahal with roses weighing 500kg. Mango eating, and quiz competitions will be organized for visitors on Monday.