Nath to launch mango festival in Tokyo tomorrow

New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) A day after India's king of fruit landed at Japanese shores after a gap of 20 years, a week-long mango festival will be launched by Commerce Minister Kamal Nath in Tokyo tomorrow.

The first consignment of Banganpalli mangoes from Tirupati reached Japan yesterday after a ban on import of certain varities of the golden fruit was lifted in June last year after 20 years.

The one-tonne consignment was sent after a special vapour heat treatment to meet strict Japanese regulations. Besides Benganpalli, other varities approved for export to Japan are Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, Chausa and Mallika.

As part of the India-Japan Friendship Year celebration, the agricultural and processed food products export development authority of Ministry of Commerce and Industry is organising the festival from May 23-28 in co-ordination with Japan-India Business Cooperation Committee.

A short film on Indian mangoes will be screened on the occasion, followed by promotion from May 24-28 at 15-20 departmental stores and super markets. Promotion of mango cuisines will also be held during the period at 30 Indian restaurants.

At around 14 million tonnes, India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world contributing more than 50 per cent of the world production.

Having gained international acclaim due to their unique flavour, aroma and taste, Indian mango is also packed with nutrients.

A single mango can provide up to 40 per cent of the daily dietary fiber needs, a potent protector against heart disease, cancer and cholesterol. The luscious fruit is also a warehouse of potassium beta-carotene and antioxidants.

UNI