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Forces of nature: Conserving 150 Appemidi mango varieties |
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"B.V. Hegde (84)
Tk. Sagar, Dist. Shivamoga, Karnataka
k. Sagar, Dist. Shivamoga, Karnataka
Mr. B.V. Hegde and his wife have helped conserve 150 varieties of Appemidi mangoes. To learn about it, they visited around 100 villages in the Western Ghats for twelve years interacting with mango farmers. They noted the characteristics of the mangoes, as well as the farming methods. They also collected cuttings which they would later graft. Often the local youth would help the inquisitive ajja and ajji (grandfather and grandmother) by climbing trees to retrieve samples. Mr. Hegde has kept extensive notes of their research and the mango trees they have grown.
Undeterred by the scarcity of land, they planted mango saplings in a public park near their home. They economized their use of space by grafting four to five varieties on a single tree. Out of the 150 varieties in their collection, they have conserved ten rare varieties. A few of the most prized varieties are Dobensra jirage, Genasinkudi jirage, Chenthota jirage, Baigi jirage and Barij jirage.
There is a great demand for these tender mangoes with their distinct aromas and flavours. While the Hegdes prioritise conservation, they have also assisted others in selling these mangoes and their products. Used extensively in pickles, Appemidi mangoes were granted a GI tag in 2009. The couple has helped entrepreneurs export Appemidi products so the world can savour their rich taste. The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research honoured Mr. Hegde for his conservation efforts at the National Horticultural Fair at Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru in 2021.
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Honey Bee, 34(4)15, 2023 |
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