Mango lovers thronged Bhopal’s NABARD campus today as the 8th edition of the state-level mango festival kicked off, showcasing over 15 natural, chemical-free mango varieties.
Held at the NABARD Regional Office in Bittan Market, the week-long event runs until 14 June and features more than 30 tonnes of mangoes grown by tribal farmers across Madhya Pradesh. A major highlight this year is the first-time sale of the elusive ‘Noorjahan’—a 1.5 kg mango grown on just ten trees in Alirajpur. Priced at Rs 2,000 per kg, it’s notoriously delicate, falling even in a light breeze.
All mangoes at the event have ripened naturally, without chemical assistance. This year's edition reinforces NABARD’s push for sustainable farming and better incomes for tribal growers.
The GI-tagged ‘Sundarja’ mango from Rewa’s Govindgarh stands out for its low sugar content and fibre-free texture, making it suitable for diabetic consumers and those seeking subtle flavours.
Rewa’s climate gives the Sundarja its distinctive aroma, which cannot be replicated elsewhere. Its balanced sweetness enhances its appeal among health-conscious buyers. From Alirajpur comes the ‘Rajapuri’ mango, known for its large size, fibre-free texture, and long shelf life. Entirely sweet, it is considered ideal for transport and storage.
Other showcased varieties include ‘Mallika’—a tangy hybrid of Neelum and Dasheri grown in Shahdol—and ‘Amrapali’, a cross of Neelum and Mallika with a dual-flavour profile.
The pulp-rich ‘Malda’, with a smaller seed and 20% more fruit, features alongside familiar favourites like Dasheri, Kesar, Langra, Chausa, Totapuri, Narangi, Sindoori, and Rajapuri.
The festival embodies NABARD’s “From Wadi to Plate” vision, aiming to economically empower tribal families through improved livelihood opportunities and stronger market linkages.