Scientists of ICAR-CISH Regional Research Station, Malda has been working on documentation, conservation and exploring the potential of traditional and rare varieties of mango from Malda and Murshidabad districts.

This programme has been implemented under leadership of Dr. Shailendra Rajan (a renowned mango researcher cum breeder & Director, ICAR-CISH, Lucknow) with active collaboration of District Horticulture Offices, Malda & Murshidabad (Dept. of FPI& Hort., Govt. of West Bengal). So far, more than 200 traditional mango varieties have been documented and characterized fruit quality at ICAR-CISH RRS, Malda and it has been observed that many varieties having very good pulp quality. ICAR-CISH RRS, Malda with support of, Mr. Rahul Chakraborty, District Horticulture Officer of Malda have been trying to do market promotion of traditional mango varieties through providing a stall with rare collection mangoes at Bandh Road, Malda (Rani Pasand, Kancha Mitha, Misrikand, Madhu Chsuki, Safder Pasand, Sahi Pasand, Naku Bhog, Sarada Bhog, Mithua, Madhu Rashmi, Choto Brindabani, Kishan Bhog etc.) from experimental farm of ICAR-CISH, Malda and receiving very good response from local dwellers (Informed by Dr. Dipak Nayak, Scientist & In-charge, ICAR-CISH RRS, Malda).

It has been observed that many traditional varieties have very good market potential if we promote the variety with highlighting its special characters. Mango growers of Malda & Murshidabad districts usually not getting good market rate of traditional varieties as non-descriptive variety & non-commercial varieties (guthi/ aathi varieties). As a result, mango growers are losing interest for cultivation of traditional varieties, not doing any take care of traditional varieties and sometimes cutting down the tree for meeting their urgent expenses. In this way, we have been losing the very rich traditional mango diversity of Malda and Murshidabad districts. This initiative will be strengthen and intensified in coming years with group of traditional mango growers for commercial production of traditional mangoes.

Dr. Dipak Nayak informed that Hon’ble Minister In-charge & Director of Horticulture, Dept. of FPI & Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal have also encouraged ICAR-CISH RRS, Malda to intensify the work on documentation, conservation and exploring the potential of traditional and rare varieties of mango from Malda and Murshidabad districts.