In a major initiative that would boost mango export potential from the eastern region especially to Middle East countries, a consignment of Geographical Identification (GI) certified Fazil mango variety sourced from Malda district of West Bengal was exported to Bahrain. According to a commerce ministry the consignment of Fazil mango was exported by APEDA registered DM enterprises, Kolkata and imported by Al Jazira group, Bahrain.
According to the ministry, the nine varieties which were exported includes GI certified Khirsapati (Malda, West Bengal), Lakkhanbhog (Malda, West Bengal), Fazli (Malda, West Bengal), Dusshheri (Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh) and Amrapali and Chausa (Malda, West Bengal) and Langda (Nadiya, West Bengal).
Fazli mango is special among all these varieties regarding its size and weight. It is commonly grown in Malda district of West Bengal. It is large in size and weighs up to 700-1500 grams. That is, this mango can be up to one and a half kilos in full size. The peel of this mango is rough and slightly thicker than other mangoes. Mango pulp is light yellow, slightly hard and juicy. The amount of fiber in mango is very less and that too little is found near the peel. The aroma of this mango is very good and the taste is very sweet. Fazli mango gets its name from Fazli Babu who is associated with Fazal Bibi of Arapur village.Apart from Bengal , it is grown on a large scale in Bangladesh abroad. This mango is used extensively in making pickles and making jam-jellies.
It said that in June 2021, a week-long Indian mango promotion programme was organised in Bahrain where 16 varieties of the fruit including three GI certified Khirsapatin and Lakshmanbhog (West Bengal), Zardalu (Bihar) were displayed. More than 200 farmers from the Varanasi region participated in the meet where agricultural scientists and officials from the leading institutes provided valuable inputs for promoting agricultural products.
The GI tag helps growers get premium price for the product as no other producer can misuse the name to market similar goods.
A geographical indication (GI) tag is used for an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.