Considered in the same league as Alphonso, the Mancurad is a potential export variety and is widely grown in the state. However, it has strong local demand which leaves little scope for export. Commercial cultivation of mangoes is yet to take root in the state and its yield is also negligible.
According to S P Tendulkar, deputy director of agriculture department (horticulture), "At this stage, Goa is not in a position to export mangoes, because the yield of commercial varieties is not sufficient. The required level of prodction for exports is between 100 to 500 boxes of mangoes per shipment, in addition to uniformity in size."
The US market has just opened for mango imports as President George W Bush showed keenness for Indian mangoes during his recent visit to the country."
Contrary to Indian tastes, western countries do not appreciate very sweet mangoes, and this has to be factored into our production," said Tendulkar.
Nevertheless, Mancurad was appreciated in the UK last year, when Goa for the first time participated in a mango show there. Though there was demand for Mancurad, but the state couldn't seize the opportunity for want of required quantity of fruit.
Mango is cultivated on 4,000 hectares in the state yielding around 20,000 tonnes annually. Of this, 50 per cent consists of the Mancurad variety.
