The Khammam district in India is known for its naturally ripened mangoes, thanks to farmer Banoth Laxman Naik and his son Ravinder. They have been selling carbide-free mangoes for the past 11 years and have gained a loyal customer base in the city. The father-son duo grow mangoes on their 10-acre farm at Govidarala of Kamepally mandal in the district. They offer 35 varieties of mangoes, including chinna rasalu, pedda rasalu, and banginapalli. The mango mela is organised every year at the R&B guest house area in the city at the beginning of the summer season, and people eagerly wait for it to purchase the fruit.
The use of calcium carbide and other chemicals to ripen mangoes is very dangerous to health, and the farmers strive to provide carbide-free fruits to the people every year. The prices of their fruits are reasonable, ranging from Rs 80 to 100 per kg. The farmer also exports the fruits to Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Rajamundry markets. Their mangoes are in huge demand in both Telugu States.
District horticulture officer G Anasuya visited the carbide-free mangoes mela run by the farmers and was impressed by their efforts to sell fruit ripened in a healthy way. She noted that there was a heavy response to the mela. K Tirumala Rao, a resident of the city, has been purchasing these carbide-free mangoes for the past ten years and has not noticed any change in taste. He lauded the farmers for their dedication to providing healthy fruits to the people.
In conclusion, the farmers’ efforts to grow and sell carbide-free mangoes have gained them a loyal customer base in Khammam. Their dedication to providing healthy fruits has been appreciated by both residents and the district horticulture officer. The people eagerly wait for the mango mela every year to purchase the naturally ripened fruit.
