The crop was suited to the Konkan region. Horticulturists say the reason for this uniqueness is the coastal soil, sea wind, and the hilly terrain.
The first alphonsos, named after a 16th century Portuguese governor of Goa, came from Africa some 400 years ago. This one mango tree that grew in the Konkan developed a unique taste and fragrance.
The crop was suited to this region. Horticulturists say the reason for this uniqueness is the coastal soil, sea wind, and the hilly terrain.
Alphonsos are grown over 65,000 hectares in Ratnagiri, 30,000 hectares in Sindhudurg, 50,000 in Raigadh, and 13,000 hectares in Thane. These four districts (along with Mumbai) comprise the Konkan or coastal region of Maharashtra. Alphosos are also grown in Valsad and Navsari in Gujarat, parts of Karnataka, and Goa. Across India, some 2.3 million hectares produced 12.75 million tonnes of mangoes in 2008-09.
Alphonsos won’t be the first mangoes to get a geographical indication. That pride of place belongs to the ‘Malihabadi dusseheri’ mango. Malihabad, just outside Lucknow, is an important mango growing centre in north India, while dussheri is a popular variety in northern India.
GI certification is to protect the sanctity and purity of products grown or made in specific regions. Many countries can produce sparkling wine but only France has the GI-protected right to sell Champagne. In India, GI recognition has been awarded to, among other farm products, Darjeeling tea, Kangra tea, the Nanjanagud banana and Malda’s Fazli mango.
India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes but is behind Mexico, Brazil, and Pakistan when it comes to mango exports, with the bulk of India’s produce being consumed domestically.
An Indian GI for alphonso could affect mango growers in south-eastern
Pakistan, who also claim to grow a type of alphonso.
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