Africa to adopt Kesar mango cultivation technique of Gujarat

Africa will soon be able to replicate the production and marketing of the famous Kesar mango from Junagadh in one of its main mango producing regions - Senegal.

Senegal, a major mango-exporting country in West Africa, has approached Gujarat for borrowing its mango cultivation technology. Senegal's exports have been falling since 2010 after the quality of the mangoes as well as fruit fly attacks affected its marketing and sale.


Mabouso Thiam, the director general of Agency for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (ADEPME) of Senegal, department of industries, the Government of Senegal, is on a two-day visit to Gujarat to discuss mango cultivation technology in the state.

"Senegal has already approached a cluster of mango farmers in Junagadh, where farmers have been cultivating and exporting Kesar mangoes to China," said Jagat Shah, the founder and chief mentor, Cluster Pulse, which is coordinating the meeting. "Gujarat will impart best practices in the business as well as provide technology on value addition like making pulp and mango juice."

According to Shah, the Senegal government had approached European countries for the technology for mango cultivation but did not find it viable. "About 40% of the mango crop is wasted in Senegal and the government is making efforts to boost exports from Senegal," said Shah. "The technology and lessons from Junagadh will help revive the export value of Senegal's mangoes. A team from the agriculture department will soon visit the state."

Thiam will also pay a visit to Amul dairy on Thursday to seek lessons in the dairy industry for Senegal. Among other things, Senegal is seeking technology from Gujarat from various industries like the pharma cluster for tablet manufacturing machines, the diesel engine technology from Rajkot, diamond polishing technology from Surat, brass parts from Jamnagar and ceramics and sanitaryware from Morbi.

The government of Senegal had written to many state and central governments in India for technology but Gujarat government gave the most prompt and elaborate response. Senegal will also tie up with universities in Gujarat for joint research.

Source : TOI